Okay, so Pope Francis feels that Cardinal Burke is his “enemy”. Kinda weird position for a Christian, Catholic and priest, to take about another priest and Cardinal who, presumably is a friend of Christ. I have never seen or heard anything that might in the least call into question Cardinal Burke’s love for, or loyalty to, Christ as Lord and Savior.
I don’t know any normal, respectable priests who label people like that. Not my style, but his feelings are legitimate and his own to describe. But this leaves questions. If Christ’s friend is my enemy, who is my friend? If Christ's friend is my enemy, is Christ my friend?
Then, there’s this:
“Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you.” - Jesus Christ
And so, yet another scandal:
Pope Francis set to remove his ‘enemy’ Cardinal Burke’s ‘flat and salary’: report
VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Francis is reportedly working to evict Cardinal Raymond Burke from his apartment in Rome and remove his salary, according to Vatican sources cited in a new report.
Published in three languages on November 27, the New Daily Compass (NDC) reported that Pope Francis had announced his intention to evict the prominent American cardinal from his lodgings in Rome
By his own words we have been led to believe Francis has moved beyond the Old Testament, imperfect image of God. From today’s readings in the Breviarium Romanum:
“The Lord is a jealous God, and a revenger: the Lord is a revenger, and hath wrath: the Lord taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and he is angry with his enemies. The Lord is patient, and great in power, and will not cleanse and acquit the guilty. The Lord's ways are in a tempest, and a whirlwind, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebuketh the sea, and drieth it up: and bringeth all the rivers to be a desert.” (Lesson from the book of Nahum Nah 1:1-4)
Actions speak louder than words. Hypocrites speak of the love, mercy and gentleness of the Lord while exhibiting the opposite behavior toward their brothers.
“Forgive is our trespasses as we forgive those who red pass against us.”
And then there is the legal matter that Cardinal Burke earned his pension and housing, promised to him by the pope when he was made a Cardinal. This is yet more lawlessness from a sinfully proud egomaniac.
Perhaps this public shaming of Cardinal Burke is also for the purpose of reducing his chances as “papabile” in the next conclave. I believe as of now that what is said and done at the top echelon is mostly about ensuring the election of a Francis II.
I pray that this is not an early sign of the sad end of a priest who falls away from God’s love and grace after failing to offer Mass daily, as reports indicate has now happened.
In supernatural charity let us pray for both Pope Francis and Cardinal Burke.
