(Not So) Quick Fact: There's a New Pontiff in Town

Pope Francis removed Cardinal Raymond L. Burke from the Congregation of Bishops this week. The Congregation of Bishops, a highly influential body within the Vatican, is responsible for vetting priests who are in line to be appointed Bishop.  

It is clear that Cardinal Burke, with his outspoken preference for the rites and traditions favored by Pope Benedict XVI, is not a good match with Pope Francis, who demonstrates a more modest and welcoming style.  Cardinal Burke, a favorite among conservative Catholics, is known for appearing publicly in the flowing, red silk cappa magna complete with long train, while Pope Francis prefers simple robes with little adornment. 

When faced with the question of where gay Catholics fit within the church, Pope Francis has been widely quoted as saying "Who am I to judge?".  

The Pope has also made clear his feelings about strict adherence and focus on church doctrine: "We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.  This is not possible. (The church) cannot be obsessed with the transmission...of doctrines to be imposed insistently...We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel."

Cardinal Burke voiced his disagreement in a TV interview this month:  "One gets the impression...that he (Pope Francis) thinks we are talking too much about abortion, too much about the integrity of marriage as between one man and one woman.  But we can never talk enough about that."  

Publicly contradicting your boss is not exactly the way to keep your job within the Vatican.

Cardinal Burke, who is from St. Louis, has repeatedly attempted to bar American Catholic politicians who support abortion rights from taking communion.  Reverend Thomas Reese, a Jesuit, recently told reporters:  "That certainly is not in line with the Pope, who has said that communion is not a reward for being good.  It is a sacrament of healing to help people."

Cardinal Burke was replaced by Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, who the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said has "a national reputation for zero tolerance of priests who molest minors." He fought to have several priests removed from the priesthood during his time as Bishop of Pittsburgh, once successfully fighting to laicize a priest in his diocese who was accused of sexual misconduct and who the Vatican, under Pope Benedict XVI, initially attempted to protect.  

Cardinal Wuerl is an ideological moderate with vast knowledge of the Vatican and its politics, but also a man who comes with a long history of pastoral experience.  His leanings on church doctrine are considered conservative; but his style seems to be more in line with Pope Francis' tone of inclusiveness, mercy and compassion.

I for one welcome a church where what you do and how you minister to people--ALL people--matters more than what you wear and how soundly you punish those you perceive as having strayed.