In the aftermath of Cardinal Raymond Leo (the Lion) Burke’s initial response to Amoris Laetitia, wherein he offered an “interpretive key” to the text while suggesting that the nearly 60,000 word tome carries about as much magisterial weight as an entry in Francis’ personal diary, many Catholics expressed varying degrees of disappointment.
[NOTE: I encourage you to check out this post by a Fr. Ignotus at Rorate Caeli challenging the idea that Amoris Laetitia is not given with magisterial intent.]
Others, apparently less willing to admit that they had perhaps overestimated Cardinal Burke’s resolve, rushed to his defense; often suggesting that he would have more to say in the near future.
Well, they were right on at least one note.
Knowing full well that his beleaguered flock is under attack at the hands of the ferocious Bergoglian wolf, Cardinal Burke once again commented upon Amoris Laetitia. This time, however, he did so without even bothering to mention the document by name; offering the faithful a mere wink-and-a-nod and no small amount of sheer hypocrisy.
In a speech given on May 7th at the Rome Life Forum – a gathering of pro-life and pro-family leaders – Cardinal Burke revealed himself to be among the most pitiable of characters; even more so arguably than Cardinal Walter Kasper who at least has the backbone to state his case plainly and to accept the consequences like a man.
Decrying the “secular understanding of the divine realities” so commonplace in our day, Burke said:
For example, today in the Church, there are those who refer to the objective reality of the grace of marriage as merely an ideal to which we more or less seek to conform ourselves. The mundane vision, which, because it is not true, leads to confusion and division within the Body of Christ, ends up by denying the fundamental principle of right reason, called the principle of non-contradiction, namely the law that a thing cannot be and not be in the same respect at the same time.
Psssst… He’s talking about Francis and his Love Letter to Lucifer! Hehehe…
If you think that’s pathetic, get this…
The Prince who is unwilling to risk any comfort whatsoever by plainly identifying (much less condemning) “those” who are threatening to lead souls to Hell went on to propose:
I present to you a reflection on the martyrdom which is inherent to our life in Christ … Martyrdom is a most compelling manifestation of the reality of Christ’s life within us, of the unity of our hearts with His glorious pierced Heart …
Cardinal Burke continued, making frequent reference to the writings of Fr. John Hardon on the topic:
Father Hardon developed his teaching on martyrdom to show the essential relationship of all forms of Christian witness to Christian martyrdom. A study of the Servant of God’s teaching will show how all witness involves a certain dying to self, a certain oblation of self to Christ for the sake of His saving work …
He expressed the call to the new evangelization most fittingly as a call to witness and ultimately to martyrdom. So many faithful, including myself, continue to follow the inspiration and direction which the Servant of God gave to us.
Seriously?
In precisely what way has Cardinal Raymond Burke – among the most well-traveled of international clerical celebrities – ever demonstrated a willingness to walk in the direction of martyrdom?
Sorry, but enduring the scornful gazes of his faithless confreres on those rare occasions when the College of Cardinals or broader body of bishops gather in the comfortable confines of the Eternal City doesn’t count.
And please don’t tell me that losing his position as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura represented a form of martyrdom; it was no such thing.
Burke’s appointment to a figurehead position with the Knights of Malta was truly nothing less than a blessing, and a timely one at that.
No longer fettered by the daily demands placed upon those who serve in the Roman Curia, he was given a magnificent opportunity to leverage his credibility in service to those who are being deceived. How? Simply by condemning the errors of the present pontificate.
And what has he done with this opportunity?
Next to nothing.
Sure, Cardinal Burke offers the Traditional Latin Mass in various places throughout the year, but while this is a blessing for the faithful to be sure, it is also his privilege. In fact, knowing what he knows about liturgy, we may even say that it’s his duty to make himself so available.
I would also suspect that he gives wise counsel to people he knows and interacts with on a personal level, but again, this is his duty.
Beyond this, let’s be honest:
Raymond Burke is essentially a Banquet Bishop; a bon vivant and frequent flyer who moves about the globe from gala to gala and conference to conference, not infrequently as a pampered guest of well-heeled Catholic neo-conservatism.
Some martyrdom, this.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge the lifestyle of Cardinal Burke (or any Prince of the Church for that matter), but I adamantly denounce the degree to which he is failing to leverage his privileged position in defense of the faithful at this historic moment.
The most dangerous attacks being leveled against the Church in our day are coming directly from the Office of Peter!
This is no time for generic references to “there are those who…” It is time for all – laymen and clerics alike – to make their mettle known, and on this note, Cardinal Raymond Burke has, at least to this point, shown us very little.
In his address to the Roman Life Forum, the best Cardinal Burke could muster on behalf of the “many faithful who express to me their profound concerns for the Church in the present time,” was to say:
I urge them to deepen their understanding of the constant teaching and discipline of the Church and to make their voices heard, so that the shepherds of the flock may understand the urgent need to announce again with clarity and courage the truths of the faith and to apply again with charity and firmness the discipline needed to safeguard the same truths.
Did you get that?
Here we have a “shepherd of the flock” urging the faithful to become proficient in understanding the truths of the Faith so they might help the shepherds of the flock understand the need to safeguard the truths of the faith.
What in the Hell is talking about, you ask?
Exactly!
This is an example par excellence of the “diabolical disorientation” about which Our Lady forewarned, and make no mistake about it – its roots run directly back to the Council.
The problem here is twofold.
One, there is a palpable lack of manliness, not just on the part of Cardinal Burke, but every shepherd who sees the wolf at the gate and yet cannot bring himself to plainly warn the flock.
This virtual castration of our bishops began the very moment the Council decided that it was expedient to forgo proclaiming the Sovereign Rights of Christ the King.
I will have more to say on this relationship in an upcoming post, but for now suffice it to say that apart from a firm recognition of Our Lord’s Social Reign and a willingness to defend His rights and prerogatives, “soldiers for Christ” and “Princes of the Church” are nothing more than empty slogans.
Secondly, and more obviously, Cardinal Burke suffers from the failed conciliar mindset that imagines the truth to be so singularly compelling that faithfulness to the mission of the Church requires nothing more than professing and witnessing to the truth amid the cacophony of falsehoods apart from condemning error.
This amounts to a tacit denial of man’s fallen nature and the fact that we are drawn to sin.
That Cardinal Burke’s mind is well infected with this fallacy was made even more obvious in a recent interview with Dr. Thomas Stark, the complete video of which can be viewed at Catholic Family News.
Predictably enough, Cardinal Burke is being hailed by some for the content of the interview. In truth, however, it’s really just more of the same weak-kneed nonsense we’ve already heard.
As the interview progressed, I was hoping that Dr. Stark would ask the obvious question:
Since you clearly recognize the danger Amoris Laetitia represents, why not simply condemn it out of hand?
The question was never asked, but that doesn’t mean that we know not the answer…
When asked the question: “Who do you fear?”, St. Bernadette answered: “I only fear bad Catholics.” Lots to fear these days!!
The sheep are bloodied and shivering while the shepherds are sipping Carbernet. Or perhaps Cardinal Burke prefers a robust Hefenweizen.
Never are the wolves identified, never are the words spoken on the world stage. I understand Cardinal Burke was very recently at the Rome March for Life in St Peters Square. The Pope was on the balcony and more or less shrewdly ignored the marchers calling out some pilgrims by region to garner wild screams. Why was not a resistance speech planned for that occasion? It was a perfect time to passionately call out the attack on family life contained in the poisonous Amoris Laetitia. Someone please correct me if I am mistaken.
Cardinal Burke is certainly no Archbishop Lefebvre.
The “whiskey priest” of the book “The Power and the Glory” would often remember his younger days where he was smug and self-satisfied and dined so well…before the persecutions came….
Fantastic points well made, Mr. Verrecchio.
The clarity with which you write is best made (in my opinion) when you said,
“Here we have a “shepherd of the flock” urging the faithful to become proficient in understanding the truths of the Faith so they might help the shepherds of the flock understand the need to safeguard the truths of the faith.
What in the Hell is talking about, you ask?
Exactly!”
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So funny. So true!
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Cardinal Burke did not get the latest memo on the recent revelation of the 3rd secret of Fatima.
There is “new” news is now “out” that the 3rd Secret of Fatima warned of “a bad Council and a bad Mass,” according to the words of Father Ingo Dollinger, a close personal friend of Joseph Ratzinger and a former seminary rector in Brazil.
No kidding!
–
http://www.onepeterfive.com/cardinal-ratzinger-not-published-whole-third-secret-fatima/
– … and…
http://voxcantor.blogspot.com/2016/05/fatima-secret-not-all-released-alleged.html
Perhaps there is much that we simply do not know…..
————
“But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.”
Luke 13:8-9
Since Fr. John Hardon’s name was raised by Cardinal Burke who opened the cause for Sainthood for Hardon I want to ask readers who know more than me on Hardon. I posted something against Vatican II in a video which is one of the collection of talks by Fr. Hardon and I was attacked for criticizing Vatican II. What was the position of Fr. Hardon on Vatican II? I know he was consulted frequently by Cardinal Ratzinger on the New Catechism.
On Friday I rec’d an email from an octogenarian or ‘not so young’ ADW Catholic ‘pro-lifer’ hailing as ‘excellent’ an article by Wuerl that essentially praised those who did nothing to counter a pep rally for abortion and distribution of condoms at Catholic Georgetown University, but the next day attended a ‘prolife’ (VC2) ‘mass’ there said by Wuerl. “Personally, I was very proud to be associated with those young and not so young people who were not a part of the pep rally for abortion and were not waiting in line for the free contraceptives at Georgetown University, but rather for those who quietly, with dignity and moral integrity, simply said there is a much better way to live.” [Get it: those who QUIETLY do NOTHING to counter or prevent evil–both hierarchy & the lay person–have “moral integrity!”]
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/11/donald-wuerl-abortionists-promote-death-defenders-/
Of course, Wuerl praises those who attend his ‘prolife’ ‘mass’ simulations even as he travels to Notre Dame where Joe Bork Baby Killer Biden (US Senate 1972-2008; VP 2008-20016–far worse than Cecile Richards who herself is post abortive; and far worse than Obama who rec’d an honorary degree in 2009) rec’d the Laeatare medal for all his work putting the US $17 trillion into debt by shoveling tax dollars to sodomite bishops and nuns (Killer Keehan) so they could live quietly like millionaires–even if the price of his 44 years in office was to approve, aid and abet in every possible way (including character assassination) the murder of 60 million babies.
Who can forget that Wuerl, himself, hands out communion to pro-abort Joe Biden (and all his Catholic (and non Catholic) buds) at his Martyred Baby & Health Care Blood Red Death Mass each year? At that celebrating the culture of death ‘mass’, pro-lifers are not only not welcome, they are ARRESTED when they try to attend if they are not QUIET:
“Joan McKee attempted to enter Mass, wearing a shirt that says “Pro-Life.” She was not permitted to enter, unless she removed or covered the shirt. After complying, they still denied her entrance, and arrested her when she insisted that she be permitted to go to Mass. Miss McKee is a regular attendee of the Cathedral.”
[you can watch a video–I believe the Octogenarian is there]
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/2341111756.html
But whatever wimpy remark some wimpy fairy makes is “excellent” to those ‘prolifers’ who sat by for 50 years making up one story after another as they stood in front of abortion clinics watching babies be murdered one by one while the problem was right there in front of them on Sunday at their Catholic Church. And still they don’t leave even as CRS murders babies OPENLY (and their church supports CRS OPENLY] and pro-aborts are awarded medals OPENLY and the most infamous pro-aborts speak OPENLY and the pope praises them OPENLY as “the great ones.” I wonder if they think Jesus is going to praise their “moral integrity” and say “excellent” to them when they die and not hold them accountable for the deeds of the murderous thieves w/whom they congregate and call “excellent.”
Well, the dregs of the old empire seem to have recognized their son:
http://jonahintheheartofnineveh.blogspot.ca/2015/12/malta-masonry-cia.html
http://jonahintheheartofnineveh.blogspot.ca/2016/01/le-cercle-and-struggle-for-european.html
Raise a glass!
Cardinal Burke has revealed himself to be a “Wuss in Sheep’s Clothing” By comparison Cardinal Kasper is a pure “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” but he display’s one trait that Cdl Burke lacks….The courage of his convictions.
Seems Cdl Burke represents the lukewarm and we know what Christ thinks of them.
Francis has rebranded the church says priest:
http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/pope-gets-media-s-attention-as-he-rebrands-church-papacy-says-priest.cfm
Lord, save us! Purify us. What unimaginable diabolic disorientation. Let your yay be yay and your nay be nay. No wonder with such complete apostasy throughout the Church, the world has become so utterly horrifyingly evil, where evil is mandated and good outlawed and vigorously persecuted.
There are no words . . . The stones are crying out as the people refuse to defend God, the moral law or the Holy Faith. What an accursed people . . . Lord, come to our aid. We need true sacrifice and lots of martyrs in the Church before the Faith is restored among the apostate episcopate.
Perhaps Louie and Fr Roderigues can meet up with the good Cardinal Burke on their trip . I often wonder why our stalwart Catholic writers /bloggers and holy priests aren’t given access to the heirarchy to ask the pertinent questions.
You’re always willing to let these wolves off the hook. Is it just a coincidence that you also quote from a stinking Protestant translation; namely, the NKJV?
http://thefederalist.com/2016/05/16/pope-francis-betrays-christianity-by-romanticizing-poverty/
Why must the laity say what the Bishops SHOULD say????
When the text describes manure….you’re right…it’s certainly offensive to the olfactory nerve…
———-
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it. 9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”
Douay-Rheims
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And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well:and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
King James Version
———–
“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down. ’”
New Living Translation
———–
He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down. ’
New Revised Standard Version
Louie: What in the world has happened to you? You more and more growl like a bear, but I know the Bear resides in another web hollow. I know…most of us are impatient and like, Peter, want to draw a sword and react to Our Lord being taken prisoner. But I recommend a much more accurate, deliberate and correct interpretation of Cardinal Burke’s recent utterances here http://voxcantor.blogspot.com (scroll down). I once asked a friend of mine, a priest of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, at the time at Bishop Burke’s cathedral in La Crosse, when will the Church right itself. He said quite calmly, “Why would you ever think that this is going to happen in your lifetime? The arrogance of my assuming God’s timetable would accommodate my own. The same it true in this case. The arrogance that we might expect the Holy Ghost to send tongues of fire to inspire instant revolution by the truly faithful priests, bishops and cardinals because WE are upset and would LOVE to see that. I think we look at this all wrong. It is more likely that NOTHING is going to happen to fix what we think is the Church. The Church is where the heretics and apostates are not. The Vatican II religion may occupy the traditional buildings, but the True Church is in reality a remnant in terms of numbers. Many are called but few are chosen. Thank you Cardinal Burke for speaking to the few, the faithful. I know Cardinal Burke. You insult him because he doesn’t measure up to your expectations. I really don’t like it when Traditionalists eat their own. So few, after all, are the faithful.
Those in the Catholic hierarchy and media who understand the crisis, but out of misguided sense of false obedience do not speak out against the Pope, leaving the individual, mostly poorly trained, rank and file Catholics to carry the heavy burden of having to speak out, at the risk of their losing the support of family and friends and business associates, tempt us with the risk of declaring “non serviam”. They are diabolical enablers and will be judged as such.
“Woe to you…..because you load men with burdens which they cannot bear, and you yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers.” Luke 11:46
“For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them.” Matthew 23:4
“And people will be praying intensely for the intercessory prayer of Sts. John Paul II and John XXIII and many favors will be granted. I don’t doubt that.” -Cardinal Burke in NCRagister interview. ttp://m.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-burke-discusses-st.-john-paul-iis-lasting-impact-on-the-catholic-c#.VztezFnD9qU
http://m.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-burke-discusses-st.-john-paul-iis-lasting-impact-on-the-catholic-c#.VztezFnD9qU
Perhaps God’s timetable depends upon the patience or impatience of the flock who expect more from those who should be their shepherds. Patience isn’t always a virtue—-neither is obedience.
I get this mental picture of a trusted shepherd, going from pasture to pasture telling all the sheep to make good use of the spare rods and staffs he’s leaving piled by the open gate; to study the manual he left with them – on how to use them to fend off the wolves that are howling nearby; and to remember to die bravely, when the time comes. I wonder how long the sheep- owner would keep him employed?
Any man who has risen to the rank of “bishop” (or worse “cardinal” or “pope”) in the Masonic Church of Rome (v2) in this current century cannot POSSIBLY be traditional or faithful (faithful to the devil, yes, but certainly not Faithful to Christ). Maybe 55 years ago the majority of the bishops didnt understand what was transpiring right under their noses at that damnable council, but men who claim that same title (bishop) in 2016 have no possible excuse whatsoever for not seeing the truth. Burke and his ilk dont get slammed enough.
We’re way, way past that now. The spoiled fruit is reeking in ferment. The internationalists like that Nimrod believe we are in the threshold of a new world, but the signs auger the days of Eber’s son Peleg.
“…and from him who hath not, even that which he hath, shall be taken from him.” Luke 19:26
Danielpan,
In answer to your question above regarding Fr. John Hardon, here are 2 links that may be helpful.
http://christianorder.com/features/features_2016/features_jan16.html
http://christianorder.com/features/features_2016/features_feb16.html
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Cardinal Burke was probably (?) responding to these links in that these were published for the first time in Jan & Feb of 2016, 15 years after the death of Fr. Hardon. In these posts on “Christian Order,” it is told by the author , Robert Hickson, who was a friend of Fr. Hardon, that Fr. Hardon had huge problems with Vatican 2 and the “new” Catechism of JPII.
Fr. Hardon (it is said in the article) did not want this information to be known until after his death.
Just my opinion, but it seems to me that Fr. Hardon was a just priest caught in the crossfire of V2 and trying to do (what he thought) was the holy thing to do.
I looked Fr. Hardon up on wiki (link below). When I read his life, I have the impression that he is a holy man.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hardon
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My husband and I heard him speak (around the years 1995-6, not sure) at a home schooling conference. He said that the only way to save the Catholic Faith was through home schooling. He was a big supporter of home schooling and also a relatively big name in the neo-con world I was once in. That is why I thought that this news on Christian Order would have a good effect on some of the neo-con world. Who knows?
Our Lady will direct things where She sees fit to accomplish what Our Lord wants.
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This comment of Fr. Hardon’ s was on the links above:
“Love is the willingness to suffer with the beloved, for the beloved, and — most painfully — from the beloved. To include from our beloved Church. But, just as we would not have wanted to have abandoned Our Lord in Gethsemane, we must not abandon the wounded Church now in her need, in her own Passion….Would we not have wanted to have given Him then our loyal love in His Gethsemane? So, too, with His Church now. For, it was after He had received the Angel of Consolation in Gethsemane that Our Lord was to sweat blood — His Precious Blood. Let us more and more contemplate with love the Passion of the Lord — and the Passion of His Church now, too. That will help us.”
——————— Father John Hardon, S.J.
An attempted answer to this question you have, I have posted below.
I agree with Tradprofessor. Does every word out of Cardinal Burke’s mouth stand to condemn him, no matter the circumstances? I also know Cardinal Burke and Fr. John Hardon was my spiritual director. Fr. Hardon used benign expressions in a like manner that you are pointing to to condemn Cardinal Burke, but as a Marian Catechist, I knew Fr. was in Rome working behind the scenes to end the madness. Cardinal Burke was inspired by Fr. Hardon, so it seems natural that he would have learned the best way to undermine the heretics agenda. You betray a vicious joy in tearing down a man that is one of our greatest hopes for overcoming this 50 year coup in Holy Mother Church. You think the heretics proclaim their ultimate agenda for all the world to see and oppose? No! It’s insinuated and whispered behind closed doors…and for decades! I am fairly new to this blog and yet have seen Louie ask for donations to keep his blog going. Perhaps there is some jealousy at work here…some joy to tear down someone Louie perceives as living the ‘high life’. Shame on you.
@ Servant of Mary,
I’m not eager to further spread this information, but Father John Hardon’s cause for beatification was started by (then Archbishop) Burke, and reportedly halted due to the scandal surrounding Fr. Hardon’s loyal support of a close friend and sexual pervert-priest, whom he was chosen to “judge” on behalf of their victims and the Jesuit order.
I was shocked to read about this years ago, because Fr. Hardon has done so much good work. But it seems he was willing to deliberately overlook things no one ever should–more evidence of this diabolical disorientation we hear so much about these days?
If the reported facts are true, Fr. Hardon dismissed the accused priest’s direct admissions-made directly TO him, that he had been showering with the teen-aged boys he had personally chosen to travel with him; having them massage his body AND engaged in looking at porn magazines with them.
Fr. Hardon publicly excused and dismissed ALL of that admitted behavior, and fully recommend the priest continue his ministry–which he was allowed to do until convicted and sentenced to prison for abusing more boys years later.
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=522
If you or anyone knows of facts which refute the above article, please link them, as I personally found (and still find) this information very disturbing, and it has been reported in many other articles as well.
The jailed priest was known for his strong preaching about chastity, which is often cited as the reason people like Father Hardon and Burke and Mother Theresa found it all too hard to believe, and supported him.
If this is all true, it shows much more than “poor” judgment, in my opinion. Father Hardon’s own statements are sickening.
If any priest is in so much pain he “needs” body massages and “help” in the shower, he should not be travelling with teen-aged boys, but should be in a Catholic care facility, where there would be no “looking” at PORN with teen-aged boys before preaching about chastity.
God save us all from this diabolical influence.
Great. The cuckservatives have arrived to castigate Louie for being too mean.
“I knew Fr. was in Rome working behind the scenes to end the madness. Cardinal Burke was inspired by Fr. Hardon, so it seems natural that he would have learned the best way to undermine the heretics agenda.”
Please spare us. Perhaps 50 years ago there were some (well intentioned but deluded souls) who genuinely thought that one could fight the VII heresies with quiet behind the scenes diplomacy. Today we see perfectly well the rotten fruits of such an approach. Those who have known the truth yet kept silent are those who bear the greatest responsibility for the current apostasy and for the loss of millions (hundreds of millions?) of souls. (Here’s what the man who did manage to halt the heretics for some time, St. Pius X, said in response to those who asked him to go soft on the Modernists: ‘They want them to be treated with oil, soap, and caresses but they ought to be beaten with fists! In a duel you don’t count or measure the blows, you strike as you can!’)
“You betray a vicious joy in tearing down a man that is one of our greatest hopes for overcoming this 50 year coup in Holy Mother Church.”
If Burke is one of our greatest hopes we might as well pack it up now. Nobody is tearing him down – it was he himself who let his “defender of the Faith” mask fall when he decided to openly join the rest of the traitors. I’m not sure why people had such hope in Burke in the first place… he’s a prelate of the new false church, says the new “mass” (this should tell you all you need to know), defends Vatican II and the men who have been responsible for the edification of the false church (JPII, etc). Much like with Ratzinger, people seem to have gotten fooled by his penchant for some of the external signs we normally associate with true Catholicism; unfortunately, traditional vestments do not make a defender of the Faith.
Dear helpusLord,
Thank you for the link.
How very sad. Diabolical, as you said!
So well said, TC!
Thank you.
The Bear gave him the benefit of the doubt, thought he was keeping his powder dry, providing an initial calm, measured response to be followed by more vigorous criticism. Not how a Bear would do it (although the Bear must take issue with the “Angry Bear” stereotype). We are desperate for leaders in what the Bear sincerely believes are the Church’s darkest days. Cardinal Burke is apparently content to be the great might-have-been. So the Bear is checking in to agree with Louie. Who should be like a Bear all of the time because that’s what it’s going to take. “We all growl like Bears.” Isaiah 59:11.
The Bear gave him the benefit of the doubt, thought he was keeping his powder dry, providing an initial calm, measured response to be followed by more vigorous criticism. Not how a Bear would do it (although the Bear must take issue with the “Angry Bear” stereotype). We are desperate for leaders in what the Bear sincerely believes are the Church’s darkest days. Cardinal Burke is apparently content to be the great might-have-been. So the Bear is checking in to agree with Louie. Who should be like a Bear all of the time because that’s what it’s going to take. “We all growl like Bears.” Isaiah 59:11.