Rome, Italy, Sep 30, 2008 / 12:24 pm
The head of the Church’s “Supreme Court,” Archbishop Raymond Burke, recently granted an interview to the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire, during which he discussed the reaction of the media to his appointment in Rome, the Democrat Party and denying Communion to pro-choice politicians.
Last June, Archbishop Burke was appointed as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome. Originally from Wisconsin, Burke was ordained in 1975 and was named Bishop of LaCrosse in 1994. In 2004, Burke became the eighth archbishop of St. Louis and was known as one of the strongest voices in the American Church, as well as one of the leading American experts in Canon law.
During the interview, the prelate countered claims that he was appointed to the Vatican-based position in an effort to remove him from the Archdiocese of St. Louis, saying, "I have too much respect for the Pope to believe that in order to move someone away from a diocese he would nominate him to a very sensitive dicastery like this one."
In his new position, Archbishop Burke serves as the head of the Church’s Supreme Tribunal, which ensures that justice is correctly administered. Also known as the Church’s Supreme Court, the Tribunal examines matters referred to it by the Congregations of the Roman Curia, as well as questions from the Holy Father.