Defending Abp. Burke

[JaneDC]

I’m in need of some pumping up here . . . I am trying to remain as cordial as possible in the face of the criticism Archbishop Burke is receiving within earshot. Due to the fact that my temper is definitely getting to the best of the (God help me!), I am only responding to people who directly address me with their comments (note my struggle to state that as cordially as possible!). If sure some of you may be following the threads in “In the News,” so I won’t bore you with the details here. People have commented to me about the mess with St. Stanislaus Parish and the pastoral plan that will result in many parishes closing.

I usually like handle it like this:

1. Point out that they are looking at the situation from a very different world view than the Catholic Church .
2. Talk to them a little bit about the role of authority, asking questions to find out where they are coming from.
3. Usually reminding them where a lax view of authority leads to (36,000 protestant churches, for example).
4. Remind them that as hard as it can be to understand, these decisions are coming from a heart filled with love for our community.

Last night I just got pummelled in public (rather loudly, in a restaurant, I may add). This “friend” called our dear Archbishop every thing from a evil, greedy, power-hungry jerk to questioning his chastity and sexual orientation. I’m trying to accept this as a sign of grace, but my husband and I wound up having an arguement becuase he wouldn’t let me respond to this idiot’s drivel (nope, my husband is not a practicing Catholic). We’re fine, we’ve made up, I’m just pouting and licking my wounds (inwardly – thankfully).

Any words of encouragement would be most appreciated.

Live Jesus!

JaneDC

 

[johnq]

JaneDC:

Due to the fact that my temper is definitely getting to the best of the (God help me

my husband and I wound up having an arguement becuase he wouldn’t let me respond to this idiot’s drivel (nope, my husband is not a practicing Catholic).JaneDC

Thank you for supporting Abp. Burke.

Did you know he had death threats? This is according to my priest. Lord have mercy on us.

Hey, your husband followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit very well. Be sure to thank him. God has a time and a place. This was neither the time nor the place. Look at it this way. Satan showed you what prayers are needed for this soul’s salvation. What a blessing you have been given. What prayers are needed? Take the vices he showed you and ask God to give him the opposite graces.

Example:
“This “friend” called our dear Archbishop every thing from a evil, greedy, power-hungry jerk to questioning his chastity and sexual orientation.”

He showed you the vices of evil, greed, power / pride and impurity. Ask God do give this soul the graces to overcome his vices by giving him the opposite virtues.

“Please God grant this soul the virtues of purity, temperance, humility, charity and chastity. Give this soul a hatred of sin and break all bonds created by the evil one.”

Remember are eyes are the windows to our soul, so always say an act of contrition for this same vices and ask God to reveal to us how we commit these sins. We can commit these sins either physically or spiritually. Always include your self in the prayer.

Another example:
A friend says, “I have no patience!” Satan just showed you a need for prayer.

Our prayer request, “Dear God, please grant us patience.” People are always showing us how God wants us to pray for them, we just need to watch and listen.

Keep up the good work.

God

 

[Fr_Joe]

Hi Jane,

Regarding the situation you describe, the person has closed his mind. I suspect the depth of his research into the matter was the local news media whose coverage has been one sided at best. You might exercise some restraint in engaging this person in argument and would encourage them to visit the Archdiocese of St. Louis website. I was amazed at the information found there on this matter. There is a very factual presentation of what has happened with documentation that pretty much makes the case. If one reads it with even the hint of an open mind I think they might re-examine a negative opinion of Archbishop Burke based on the St. Stanislaus situation.

Your devotion to him as your shepherd is gratifying and encouraging to me.

Fr. Joe

 

[vern_humphrey]

We have had – and I don’t think anyone can seriously contradict this – serious failures in leadership in the Church (in the United States, at least.) It ill behoves us therefore to be attacking a bishop who stands up on his hind legs and does what a bishop is supposed to do.

 

[JaneDC]

johnq:

Look at it this way. Satan showed you what prayers are needed for this soul’s salvation. What a blessing you have been given. What prayers are needed? Take the vices he showed you and ask God to give him the opposite graces.

Example:
“This “friend” called our dear Archbishop every thing from a evil, greedy, power-hungry jerk to questioning his chastity and sexual orientation.”

He showed you the vices of evil, greed, power / pride and impurity. Ask God do give this soul the graces to overcome his vices by giving him the opposite virtues.

“Please God grant this soul the virtues of purity, temperance, humility, charity and chastity. Give this soul a hatred of sin and break all bonds created by the evil one.”

Remember are eyes are the windows to our soul, so always say an act of contrition for this same vices and ask God to reveal to us how we commit these sins. We can commit these sins either physically or spiritually. Always include your self in the prayer.

Another example:
A friend says, “I have no patience!” Satan just showed you a need for prayer.

Our prayer request, “Dear God, please grant us patience.” People are always showing us how God wants us to pray for them, we just need to watch and listen.

Thank you so much for the great suggestions. I’m sure other opportunities will come up do practice your ideas, so I pray for the grace to remember them in the “heat of the battle.”

Live Jesus!

JaneDC

 

[JaneDC]

Many Thanks to All who have taken the time to reply to my questions and to those who read my original plea and said a prayer (or two). I am so grateful to this Forum for encouraging me in my walk with Christ and His Church.

Please continue to pray for dear Archbishop Burke. As long as he continues to do what is right, he will be attacked by the media – or worse. I don’t know the man at all, but what I know of him as an Archbishop, he’s a true blessing for us all.

Live Jesus!

JaneDC

 

[TPJCatholic]

JaneDc,

Do not forget that ArchBishop Burke was the second Bishop to take this action…and the Vatican also backed-up his decisions. I would say you stand in good company with two Catholic Bishops and the Vatican at your side. Pray for those are so greatly persecuting the Church. Yet, always remember that it took 30-40 years for the Church in the United States to lose its way…it will take many “Archbishop Burke’s” to help make the ship steady.

 

[lrslattery]

After Mass on Ash Wednesday, we were scheduled to have our pictures taken for the Parish Directory…This was the day the news broke about the threat against Archbishop Burke.

While we were sitting there waiting to be called, we engaged in some limited chit-chat with the couple next to us. The woman inquired about being a “Eucharistic Minister” and I kept my mouth closed rather than ask her if she really meant an “Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion”. I, naturally, let my wife handle the questions since she is the parish secretary - and - I have been trained really well!

Her husband then said something about the Archbishop and St. Stanislaus - actually, it was an underhanded dig at the Archbishop which I found offensive and out of order, especially considering he did not know who I was. I replied that, as a matter of record, the facts of the case had not been presented in their entirety in the Post-Dispatch (otherwise known as the Post DisGrace). My wife, sensing that I was not at ease with the conversation then proceeded to ask them how long they have been parishioners.

The woman stated that they had become members about a year and a half ago after getting permission to change parishes from their pastor from a parish down the road in the next town - they live outside the boundaries of our parish. The husband then said something to the effect that had “Burke been here, we wouldn’t have been able to do that!”

I responded that the laws of the Church permit this and that Archbishop Burke certainly would not have any issues with it, since it is lawful and quite permissible…I remained friendly despite the negative tone and attitude this man had toward Archbishop Burke.

Few people would, in public, denigrate or disparage their own fathers. What persons would speak ill of his own father in public? Those of us who are baptized have, in reality, a closer bond with our brothers and sisters in the faith than we have by blood. I am offended when another speaks untruths about my father, be it my real father or my spiritual father. And Archbishop Burke is our spiritual father, at least for many of us here in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and I’m certain, in many other places as well.

Regardless of the respect or lack of respect one gives to his bishop, he must, at least, give sufficient thought and reflection on the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue. All that applies regarding the obligations of obedience and respect of children toward their parents, also applies in principle toward our spiritual fathers, especially one’s bishop. This is especially true when one’s bishop exercises the his duties and obligations as required by his office, which is, in a certain way, very similar to those obligations which parents have toward their children.

This is how I understand the Church’s teaching on the subject and why I become distressed at the multitude of attacks toward Archbishop Burke, especially when they come from Catholics who fail to see him as their spiritual father. Perhaps, it is too simplistic a view but I can see no reason to complicate a matter which is so fundamental to the life of the family of God…

 

[VFA]

Amen! Amen! and Amen! God Bless Arch Bishop Burke and God have mercy on the St. Louis Archdiocese

 

[A_Chaoidh]

I give thanks for Archbishop Burke and pray for his efforts. I pray that other Bishops will follow his example and may the Holy Ghost lead other clergy to Defense of the Faith.

Thanks be to God!