Pope Francis again demotes hardline U.S. cardinal

Source: USA Today

In a move that reflects the loosening posture of the Vatican on major social issues, conservative U.S. cardinal Raymond Burke was removed by Pope Francis from yet another top post.

Burke, who has long been vocal about denying communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion, was dismissed as head of the Holy See's highest court and given the post of Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a largely ceremonial job overseeing charity to the elderly.

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In an interview with a Spanish Catholic weekly published last week, Burke said of the pope's leadership: "Many have expressed their concerns to me. … There is a strong sense that the church is like a ship without a rudder."

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Francis eschews elaborate papal vestments in favor of more humble garb. He has been known to celebrate holidays by washing the feet of the poor and prisoners. And, notably, he has encouraged no-cost marriage annulments for Catholics and welcomed homosexuals to the church.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/08/pope-francis-demotes-conservative-us-cardinal-raymond-burke/18710769/

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I imagine that the conservative's corporate masters will not be happy with this because they would rather the church distract people from issues like social justice.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ken-langone-pope-francis

Billionaire Home Depot Founder Says Pope Francis Is Alienating The Rich

Billionaire Home Depot founder Ken Langone has a warning for Pope Francis.

A major Republican donor, Langone told CNBC in a story published online Monday that wealthy people such as himself might stop giving to charity if the Pope continues to make statements criticizing capitalism and income inequality.

Langone said he was worried the Pope's comments about an "exclusionary" "culture of prosperity" that may make some of the rich "incapable of feeling compassion for the poor."

Langone, who is leading an effort to raise money for the restoration of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan said he relayed these concerns to Cardinal Timothy Dolan in New York. Specifically, Langone said he told the church leader he spoke to a donor who could give millions of dollars to the cathedral project but was worried about the Pope's "exclusionary" remarks.