Archbp. Burke released a statement on having been named Cardinal.
From St. Louis Review:
Statement by Cardinal-designate Raymond L. Burke on the announcement of the consistory for the creation of Cardinals.
I am deeply humbled and honored by the announcement that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI intends to name me to the College of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church at the Consistory which he has convoked for this coming November 20th. Having received the news of the Holy Father’s intention, I express my deepest gratitude to His Holiness for the great confidence which he has placed in me, and I renew my commitment to serve Him, as Shepherd of the universal Church, in total fidelity and with all my being.
Considering the weighty responsibilities of the members of the College of Cardinals in assisting the Holy Father as his closest co-workers, even “to the shedding of blood,” I am more than ever conscious of my own weakness and of my total dependence upon the help of divine grace, in order that I may fulfill worthily and generously the responsibilities which will be mine, God willing, as a Cardinal of the Church.
I count upon the continued intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints, and the prayers of the many faithful whom I have been blessed to serve as priest and Bishop, especially in my home diocese, the Diocese of La Crosse, and in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and of those with whom I have been, in the past, and am now privileged to serve in the Roman Curia, especially my co-workers at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Only the knowledge of God’s immeasurable and unceasing outpouring of mercy and love from the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus gives me the confidence to accept the great honor and burden which His Holiness intends to confer upon me.
Today’s announcement turns my thoughts with deepest affection and gratitude to my late parents and all my family, living and deceased; and to the priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who have assisted me to know my vocation to the Holy Priesthood and to respond to it with an undivided heart over the more than thirty-five years of my priestly life and ministry. Today, with all my heart, I humbly thank God for the gifts of life, of the Catholic faith, and of my vocation.
At the same time, my thoughts naturally turn to the many challenges which the Church faces in our day in carrying out her divine mission for the salvation of the world. In particular, I am deeply conscious of the critical importance of the loving witness of the Church to the truth, revealed to us by God through both faith and reason, which alone is our salvation. It is a witness which Our Holy Father tirelessly gives with remarkable wisdom and courage. I pledge myself anew to assist Pope Benedict XVI in this critical witness and in the many works of his pastoral charity on behalf of all our brothers and sisters in the Church and in the world.
I ask for prayers that I may be able to assist our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the best of my ability and with every ounce of my strength. I, once again, place my whole heart, together with the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, into the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus, I am confident that I will find the purification, courage and strength which I will need to carry out the new responsibilities to be confided into my hands. I thank, in advance, all who will pray for me, and ask God to bless them abundantly.
(Most Rev.) Raymond L. Burke
Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis
Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
October 20, 2010
It is almost as if he takes this seriously.
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I look forward to him having universal faculties. No longer will a liberal bishop or archbishop be able to block him from saying Mass (and thus delivering a homily) in a liberal diocese or archdiocese.
Gloria Deo hujus rei magnae caussa!
I don’t think I’ve ever been quite such a fanboy of any prelate, like I am with Msgr (Cardinal-designate, I should say, now!) Burke. He seems to be everything a Catholic bishop should be, and in showing to the world such a model, he gives me great pride in the Church.
May God grant that, after many long years, when our dear Pontiff passes on to his reward, that the White Smoke might rise for Msgr. Burke and give the Holy Roman Church a true lion upon the throne of Peter.
I knew Archbishop Burke would get the red hat! If I don’t get my wish for Pope Benedict to reign for the next 30 or 40 years, then I hope Burke becomes the first American-born Pope.
Papabile! Papabile!
“it’s almost as if he takes this seriously”- haha
I say- let’s all offer our prayers for him today!
So fitting that this man should receive this honor (and responsibility) on the feast of Christ the King (albeit in the new calendar). He is doing so much to restore the reign of Christ on Earth, and that in the face of incredible opposition. I have never been so moved by the naming of a Cardinal. What a great day for the Church!
God bless Pope Benedict and Cardinal-elect Burke!
Cardinal-designate Burke is top notch. Ad multos gloriosque annos!
I, too, have never been so overjoyed at the naming of a Cardinal! Deo Gratias!
(it is SO about time….and I had better not comment more)
The first American Pope. Just wait.
If that letter were any more old school, his last name would be “Carroll” and the letter would be in Latin. :) Good for him.
I’m happy about Cardinal Burke, but why wasn’t Archbishop Dolan named? I’m puzzled.
xgen: Because Archbp. Dolan’s predecessor, Card. Egan, is not yet 80 years old. It would be somewhat out of balance to have two figures from NYC able to vote in a conclave.
SWEET! God with with you, Cardinal Burke!
Perhaps we should all send him a gift: Maybe a small basket with a bag of Mystic Monk coffee and two “Say the Black, Do the Red” mugs? :-)
Just sayin’. He’d probably appreciate that a lot!
Congratulations, Cardinal Burke!!!
For those of you wanting to congratulate him directly (well, as much as can be done electronically), I hunted for and finally found his e-mail address at the Apostolic Signatura:
civcsva.pref@ccscrlife.va
C’mon WDTPRS folks – pile on Card. Burke! ;-)
Pax et benedictiones tibi, per Christum Dominum nostrum,
Steve B
Plano, TX
That is a really good letter. How can the Immaculate and Sacred Hearts refuse to help him be a good Church leader?
Prayers coming for him.
I know it is truly a long shot, but it would be rather nifty for him to be pope. He is young enough.
(sigh) Too much of a long shot. But if God wills it…
Steve B – Thanks for locating the email address !! By the way, there is the gnashing of teeth at the NCR (the fishwrap).
Don’t forget Archbishop Ranjith !!! :)
The Lord has blessed me with knowing this holy man since 1978.
He, as our diocesan bishop in 1998, gave our community the status of Public Association of the Faithful.
He ordained me to the Holy Priesthood in 2003.
He has been a devoted friend, mentor, counselor and guide; a pastor and true spiritual father all these years. He is truly a man of God.
I am so happy! Deo gratias!
Congrats to soon-to-be Cardinal Burke!
Yes-I’d like to see him as the first American Pope! But. Not. Quite. Yet.
I hope he gets a ton of laudatory emails! He’s got a lot of ‘fans’ from all over the world!
I am deeply moved that he thanks his parents, who have since been called to glory. Where would we priests be without our parents? Our sacrament of Holy Orders would never have existed if not for the many labors of their sacrament of Matrimony. Whenever we give thanks for the wonderful qualities of an outstanding bishop, give thanks first for dear old mom and dad, who provided the love, the countless sacrifices, and the formation for those qualities to be enjoyed by the rest of us.
It is sad that the two people who most deserve to see the Church crown their labors are often not alive to witness their son ascend to so high a station. I think, however, that from their new home, they are grateful to all those who honor their son and assist him in his mission for the Church and souls. May Cardinal-elect Burke continue to bless us with his light and leadership for many years.
Will he retain his position in the A. Signatura ? More importantly,will he remain International Director of the Marian Catechist Apostolate ?For those unfamiliar with this apostolate, please visit the website to see how Marian Catechists carry on the work of Fr.John Hardon,SJ.
Cardinal Burke – what a nice sound! Deo gratias, Alleluia!
Praised be Jesus and Mary!