usatoday | In a move that reflects the loosening posture of the Vatican on major
social issues, conservative U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke was removed by
Pope Francis from yet another top post.
Burke, who has long been
vocal about denying communion to Catholic politicians who support
abortion, was dismissed as head of the Holy See's highest court and
given the post of Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a
largely ceremonial job overseeing charity to seniors.
At 66, Burke
is considered young by church hierarchy standards. The dismissal is a
set-back to his Vatican career as well as a clear message from Pope
Francis to those not hewing to his progressive view of the Catholic
Church.
The move was expected by Vatican-watchers given that
Burke, the former archbishop of St. Louis, had openly criticized
Francis' less doctrinaire approach to the faith. Last year, Francis had
removed Burke from the Congregation for Bishops, a group tasked with the
appointment of new bishops worldwide.
