Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The October 9 Speech of Archbishop Burke

Addressing the World Prayer Congress for Life, the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Archbishop Raymond Burke, had powerful and timely words for all Catholics. Given the importance of the speech, it can not be summarized, but should be read, not only by all Catholics, but by all persons interested in the common good. It can be found in its entirety here.

His Excellency does discuss the duties of "Catholic" politicians (such as Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Arnold Schwarenegger, etc):

"When a person has publicly espoused and cooperated in gravely sinful acts, leading many into confusion and error about fundamental questions of respect for human life and the integrity of marriage and the family, his repentance of such actions must also be public. The person in question bears a heavy responsibility for the grave scandal which he has caused. The responsibility is especially heavy for political leaders. The repair of such scandal begins with the public acknowledgment of his own error and the public declaration of his adherence to the moral law. The soul which recognizes the gravity of what he has done will, in fact, understand immediately the need to make public reparation."

He also notes something we are quite familiar with:

"One of the ironies of the present situation is that the person who experiences scandal at the gravely sinful public actions of a fellow Catholic is accused of a lack of charity and of causing division within the unity of the Church."

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