Jesuit cardinal to replace Cardinal Burke as patron of Knights of Malta
June 19, 2023
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CWN Editor's Note: Pope Francis has named Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ, to be “patron” of the Order of Malta, succeeding Cardinal Raymond Burke in that role.
Cardinal Ghirlanda, an 80-year-old Jesuit, was instrumental in drafting a new constitution for the Knights of Malta, following the Pope’s 2017 intervention in the affairs of the Order. A veteran of Vatican affairs, he had previously been a pontifical adviser to the Legionaries of Christ.
Cardinal Burke, who has frequently expressed concerns about the policies of Pope Francis, was effectively stripped of his influence over the Order of Malta in 2017, when the Pope appointed Cardinal Angelo Becciu to supervise the reform. The American cardinal retained the title of cardinal-patron, but was not closely involved in the rewriting of the constitution for the Order.
At the age of 75, Cardinal Burke is now left without any official position—like other prominent prelates who have earned the Pope’s displeasure, such at Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the longtime private secretary to Pope Benedict XVI.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Jun. 24, 2023 9:38 PM ET USA
Good point, Phil. I just did a cursory check of the CIC, and I don't see anything in there about a pope removing from the clerical state a priest, bishop, or cardinal who has not been convicted of heresy, apostasy, schism, or other crime. So it seems that a cardinal without an official office indeed has nothing to resign from.
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Posted by: Phil -
Jun. 23, 2023 9:27 AM ET USA
He has no position from which to resign.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Jun. 22, 2023 7:06 PM ET USA
75? What are the odds that Pope Francis will refuse to accept his resignation? Let's hope he doesn't develop any sudden problems with his hip.
