Jeanie Hannaman

By Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, First Things - Example #9 - Cardinal Raymond Burke - Cardinal Raymond Burke has not been shy about his criticisms of the pontificate. Still, it was a shock in curial Rome that Pope Francis chose to cut off his stipend (really a pension, as Burke is retired) and remove his subsidized apartment. It seemed rather beneath the dignity of the papal office. And of course it invites future comparison when other cardinals maintain their pensions and apartments.

Recently Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI released a powerful letter, in which he touched on a number of topics, including especially the sexual abuse crisis that has impacted the Church and even society as a whole.  In his letter, he also addressed the Eucharist.  He acknowledged, and rightfully so, that we have become too lax in our approach to the Eucharist.  There were a number of reasons for this, even extreme cases when Holy Communion has been distributed to non-Catholics at weddings and other large events for the sake of “inclusion.” We know, however, that such “inclusivity” is actually quite dangerous ....