Cardinal Raymond Burke Cancels Westminster Talk
I won't use sensational words like "devastated" to describe my reaction. However, I for one was really looking forward to going to his talk. I hope that this cancellation is just 'mysterious' and that there is nothing sinister in the reason for his sudden change of mind.
There is no way anyone in any authority in the Catholic establishment in the United Kingdom would be offended by anything that Cardinal who said, "Since the Council, the Body of Christ in England and Wales has been haemorrhaging away at the rate of approximately 30,000 souls a year" would have to say.
I hope that, perhaps, God willing, he'll reschedule for another time.
Thanks to Fr Ray Blake for alerting us to the news.
Update: I've just read His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke's correspondence with Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. PEEP have, in my personal opinion, contributed to the good Cardinal's withdrawal. With their customary enthusiasm for putting the boot in with regard to the Bishops, this time in print on the advertisement/invitation for the talk, PEEP have put the Cardinal who is both loyal to the Pope and respectful of brother Bishops and Cardinals in what you could call an awkward spot. Gosh! And I thought I was hardcore! Sad. PEEP can keep my £20, because going by the correspondence, it looks like they're going to need it.
Comments
I hope Card Burke isn't ill. If he isn't, then it would be good to know why he cancelled.
http://www.proecclesia.com/page_newsflash.htm
looks like he was leaned upon
http://www.proecclesia.com/page_newsflash.htm
looks like he was leaned on
You refer to:
"...their customary enthusiasm for putting the boot in with regard to the Bishops..."
Who, very recently, wrote the following reply to a comment?
"...Unfortunately, many Priests, Bishops have not been teaching the Catholic Faith 'in its entirety'"
You did.
The Cardinal was right to avoid this kind of controversy.
Yes, His Eminence has been "leaned on" Tom Smith, leaned heavily on by the Holy Spirit.
The writing is on the wall for the liberals but they will put up a hell of fight before they go. Its like dealing with the old grey men of the politburo. They won't step aside and let the new generation through. Austen and John Allen et al will no doubt spin this to liberal advantage.
BJC
Indeed their zealous OTT "defence" of the Faith was actively encouraged.
Not a good idea, and those of a more moderate outlook looking forward to hearing the Cardinal, have paid the price.
Which is not to say that PEEP should compromise its raison d'etre - it's led the way in publicly exposing "anomolies" and I pay homage to its doughty defence of the Catholic faith - but to be aware when its words might cause political embarrassment at a particular level. "Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves." Matthew 10:16
Church politics are the same as any other when it comes to defending territory. Very murky. What a single blogger writes may be swiftly discarded as having a limited reach to Catholic crackpots like me, but a well-known, organised and influential group which refuses to toe the line is another matter. In a way, it's a back-handed compliment to the achievements of PEEP.
But the note of triumphalism over the Cardinal's agreement to speak as if it were his imprimatur for public attacks on a particular episcopal group was unwise at the very least and gave the wreckers a virtual shoo-in. I hope the new Nuncio wasn't "got at" in this unfortunate affair by the devout and faithful. I fear he might have been.
I'm still inclined to attend the conference, though. Solidarność.
This is the sort of generalistaion that has caused the cancellation.
It also illustrated the truth pointed out on another blog commenting on the Vatican:
"...It has also become clear recently that they no longer have control over Catholic theology, and even their grip on their own clergy and the ordination process is weakening"
Do you not think the Cardinal did not wish to become embroiled in ill-tempered disputation and conflict?
Thank you.