Pope appoints Bishop Raymond Burke as new Archbishop of St. Louis

Vatican City, Dec 2, 2003 / 12:00 am MT (CNA).-

Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Raymond Leo Burke of La Crosse, Wisconsin, as the new Archbishop of Saint Louis.

Bishop Burke was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1948. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's, Richland Center, and after his family moved to Stratford he attended St. Joseph's School there from 1959 to 1962.

He attended high school at Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse, from 1962 10 1966, and also studied college courses there from 1966 to 1968 before attending The Catholic University of America from 1968 to 1971. He then studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and was ordained priest on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter's Basilica by Pope Paul VI.

His was associate rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse, while teaching religion at Aquinas High School.

In 1980, he returned to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After completing his studies, he was named Moderator of the Curia and Vice Chancellor of the Diocese in April 1984.

In 1989, Father Burke returned to Rome when Pope John Paul II named him Defender of the Bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature. He was serving in this position when he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse by Pope John Paul II on December 10, 1994.

Bishop Burke's Episcopal ordination by Pope John Paul II took place at St. Peter's Basilica on January 6, 1995, the Feast of the Epiphany.

He was installed as diocesan bishop on February 22, 1995, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

The Archbishop-elect replaces Cardinal Justin Rigali, who was recently appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia.