Just five days for the start of the conclave of 2025 – the meeting held by the Cardinal College of the Catholic Church to choose a new Supreme Pontiff -, the US cardinal Raymond Leo Burkerecognized by his conservative position and his opposition to Pope Francis, It sounds greatly among all the “papable.”
According to the American television channel CNNduring the pontificate of the Argentine, Burke became one of the most “divisive” figures within the Vatican Cityconsidering that, for some cardinals, it represents the restoration of the tradition Catholic, while, for others, the one born in Wisconsin It is the “incarnation of resistance to modernization“Of the Church.
Currently, the 76 -year -old cardinal is one of the most outstanding figures in the wing Conservative In the Church. His vision focuses on the defense of Traditionswith the aim of turning the Vatican into a community where thousands of people meet and participate in the celebration of faith through gestures, words, rites and actions.
Also, according to the American television network TelemundoRaymond also defends the Canon lawa set of norms that regulate the life and activities of Catholicism, which has become a system of the Church, other than civil law, and covers areas such as the right of people, family law, the right to worship and criminal law.
Raymond Leo Burke: Critic of Pope Francis
The American cardinal Raymond Burke, as representative of the most conservative wing of the Church, harshly criticized several decisions of Pope Francis throughout his pontificate, which lasted more than twelve years, and cataloged some of his actions such as “attacks to the tradition of Catholicism “, mainly for its” such position flexible”
Raymond manifested against the use of contraceptive and also lashed out against people divorced They decide to get married again. However, the confrontation between Burke and Francisco intensified in February 2016, when the American refused to accept that the divorced they could receive the Eucharist.
Subsequently, on March 28, 2019, the prelate openly criticized the Argentine Pope, questioning the possibility of blessing the Homosexual unionsconsidering that Francisco had said in an interview that “the homosexuality It is not a crimeit is a simple human fact; although it already became a big business. ”
Given the circumstances, Raymond Burke’s criticism had consequencesbecause on April 27, 2014, Pope Francis decided to remove him from his position as a prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature. Also, months later, he also withdrew his salaryhis Vatican residence and his power in the order of Malta.
On the other hand, the US media have recently announced the sympathy of Cardinal Burke with the current president of the United States, Donald Trump, whom he supported during his 2016 election campaign, ensuring that the tycoon “defended human life from his conception and the values of the Church.”
At present, as stated by the International News Agency EFEthe relationship between Burke and Trump “remains firm”, because they have allegedly used “Conservative networks“To boost the Cardinal as a possible new Pope, something that possibly would be convenient for the Republican to” break the balance of power. “
Pope Francis you have recovered Cardinal Raymond Burke in Private Audience This Morning; Burke you have a leading critic of Francis Since the Beginning of His Pontificate. The Meeting Comes After Francis Revoked Burke’s Privileges Because of His Sowing “Disunity” in the Church. pic.twitter.com/yzpfcazy5e
– Rich Raho (@richraho) December 29, 2023