Cardinal Burke cites widespread fear that Church is 'like a ship without a helm'
October 31, 2014
Many Catholics today have “a strong sense that the Church is like a ship without a helm,” Cardinal Raymond Burke said in an interview with a Spanish publication.
The American cardinal, who has become a focal point for the concerns of conservative Catholics, told Vida Nueva that many people have spoken to him about their fears for the direction of the Church. “They are feeling a bit seasick because they feel the Church’s ship has lost its bearings,” he said.
Cardinal Burke stressed that “I do not wish it to seem like I am speaking out against the Pope.” Rather, he said, he wanted to express a concern that many people now feel. The cardinal observed that Pope Francis has roused enthusiasm with his call for Catholics to go out to the peripheries to preach the faith. “But we cannot go to the peripheries empty-handed,” he said.
“Faith cannot adapt to culture, but must call it to convert,” Cardinal Burke said. “We are a countercultural movement, not a popular one.”
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Posted by: christhavemercy821235 -
Nov. 04, 2014 1:07 PM ET USA
It is not the Church teaching that the Holy Spirit would guarantee the Pope would be inspired by and guided by the Holy Spirit every time he speaks. The guarantee is a negative action, the Holy Spirit would prevent the Pope from speaking heresy when he speaks from the seat of Peter, Ex-Cathedra. I printed the interview of Pope Francis published in America(Jesuit magazine) and show it to a priest who always insists the media is misquoting the Pope. He was silent.
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Posted by: Bveritas2322 -
Nov. 03, 2014 12:43 PM ET USA
Francis is hardly afflicting the comfortable. He has no rebuke for those who denegrate the efforts of those pursuing lives of virtue. He has no words of rebuke for those, within the Church, including Cardinals,who would never consider their own sins of pride as they mock and ridicule those standing up for the lives slaughtered by abortion.
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Posted by: 1Jn416 -
Nov. 03, 2014 11:37 AM ET USA
I find it interesting that those who criticize Cardinal Burke and those who feel similarly suggest that the Holy Father is inspired by the Holy Spirit and anyone who has concerns is opposed to the working of God. Was St. Paul wrong to criticize St. Peter at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15)? Was St. Catherine of Sienna wrong to correct multiple Popes? This idea that anyone who has a criticism of the Holy Father is opposed to the Holy Spirit is an erroneous and dangerous one.
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Posted by: jacquebquique5708 -
Nov. 03, 2014 10:32 AM ET USA
Cardinal Burke rightfully speaks of the concerns of many Catholics.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Nov. 02, 2014 1:19 AM ET USA
Oh that cagey fox,Cardinal Burke. He lays his fears at the feet of "many people", instead of speaking for himself. It would seem Pope Francis showed up for office without a Papal election,much less the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Francis is "afflicting the comfortable" as Jesus did and the reaction is predictably the same.
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Posted by: BCLX -
Nov. 01, 2014 9:45 PM ET USA
These comments, if properly reported in context, sound like Card. Burke is insulting the pope. Why doesn't he keep his silence? We need one leader, not a tower of Babel.
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Posted by: 1Jn416 -
Nov. 01, 2014 2:29 PM ET USA
bkmajer - Why do you view expressing legitimate concerns as fearful and antagonistic? This is exactly the labeling I was referring to. While I have come to a peaceful place in these present challenges, I remain concerned that the mainstream understanding of the Holy Father's words does more harm for souls and the Church than good. Yes, we need to evangelize, but in doing so must stand for what Christ teaches. That is not the impression he gives. What is fearful or angry in this concern?
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Nov. 01, 2014 2:05 PM ET USA
bkmajer, Or maybe Our Lord is chastising HIs Bride as Israel, the Spouse of the Lord, was chastised numerous times in the Old Testament. Departing from the true doctrines of Christ's Church is hardly a challenge to holiness.
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Posted by: bkmajer3729 -
Nov. 01, 2014 9:51 AM ET USA
"aware of the turmoil"; "...risks being labelled..." seem to be words of fear not courage. Why do we become antagonistic when things don't fit our personal perspective? We can sin but we can't be wrong? The Holy Spirit is no longer at work? There were many Bishops who chose our Pope-not just one. Folks nothing has changed in the Church. If some are uncomfortable maybe, just maybe, that's the Holy Spirit's challenge to holiness and freedom from comfort because "the night is far spent".
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Posted by: feedback -
Oct. 31, 2014 10:31 PM ET USA
The Good Lord is in charge of his Church until the end of time; and we have spectacular evidence of this throughout the history. A decade of the Rosary a day for the Holy Father and the Bishops will help.
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Posted by: Comares -
Oct. 31, 2014 9:06 PM ET USA
It is a shame that the Cardinal is being so negative. I have no doubt that he has done wonderful work as a Priest, Bishop and Cardinal. We have the Faith to take to the peripheries. Nothing has changed, it is the same Faith that has been handed down through the ages. It is good that we have a Pontiff who challenges us and asks us to look with new eyes. The blind are being offered the chance to see and the deaf to hear. Let us grab them with all that we can.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 31, 2014 8:02 PM ET USA
Is the HF aware of the turmoil? Judging from his homilies, he seems to welcome it. As do many others.
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Posted by: 1Jn416 -
Oct. 31, 2014 5:13 PM ET USA
I am very grateful to Cardinal Burke for his courage in saying this sort of thing. So many serious Catholics are, depending on their temperament and circumstances, currently confused or discouraged or angry or all of the above, and if one dares to say so except very quietly one risks being labeled as a malcontent or disloyal. All the more so for someone in Cdl. Burke's position. Yet one wonders if the Holy Father, surly somewhat insulated by handlers, is aware of this turmoil in the Church.
