News reports say Cardinal Burke is getting demoted but none quote him saying so; what's going on?

Bishops and popes hand-pick their collaborators all the time. Many people do.

Many factors are involved in personalities and how they factor into choices. Think back to professional personnel decisions you have made when forced to choose between competent and qualified individuals.

The pope deals with perceptions in his ministry. You and I may not have a problem with how Burke feeds into perceptions but perhaps the pope does. I really find it hard to believe that Burke's orthodoxy is the issue.

There is also the issue of the media and how they present the news. Where in the article does it quote Burke actually saying "Pope Francis is demoting me"? Technically Burke never uses the word demoted in the transcript of the recorded interview, He uses the term "transfer".

"The difficulty — I know about all the reports, obviously. I’ve not received an official transfer yet. Obviously, these matters depend on official acts. I mean, I can be told that I’m going to be transferred to a new position but until I have a letter of transfer in my hand it’s difficult for me to speak about it. I’m not free to comment on why I think this may be going to happen."

 And overlaid upon all this is the lack of objectivity that all of us experience when something affects us personally. Cardinal Burke, even with all his experience and spiritual maturity, has this aspect to face as well. All of us understand how difficult it can be to deal with transitions and the adjustments necessary to flourish in a new place and with responsibilities and people.

If someone is being treated unfairly in the Church it won't be the first time; the Lord asks us to use our crosses as He used His for our salvation and for His glory.

The reporter takes liberties with the headline to make it more sensational and generate more interest. The pope has his reasons and he's the boss. As with most things in life where we do not have all the facts, we must be content to wait and pray with patience that God's will be done.

God writes straight with crooked lines: look at your own life to see that is true.

Cardinal Burke is on the young side, by the way; young enough to be called back into service perhaps by the next pope.

God bless,

Full transcript of Buzzfeed interview with Cardinal Burke at this link.