Pope Francis Faces Unprecedented Opposition from American Critics
Pope Francis faces unprecedented opposition from a small yet influential minority in America, as he strives for a compassionate and inclusive Catholic Church This clash highlights the Pope's tolerance for dissent and the potential consequences of political maneuvering
On one side, there is Pope Francis, advocating for a compassionate and inclusive Catholic Church, likening it to a "field hospital" for humanity's afflictions. On the other side, a small yet outspoken faction opposes the Pope and his efforts for change.
A confrontation between these opposing forces is currently unfolding.
US Cardinal Raymond Burke, a prominent church legal expert, is considered the informal leader of the opposition. His style and approach are reminiscent of a bygone era within the church, and his views closely align with the traditionalist wing. While Pope Francis maintains that he upholds the church's doctrine and principles, he has attempted to steer the church away from certain customs that he believes are hindering its mission.
Pope Francis has highlighted the link between the worship of money and the growth of terrorism. Critics of Francis are troubled by his willingness to offer communion to divorced and remarried Catholics, as well as his welcoming approach to LGBTQ individuals. They prefer a pope who is more strict and presents doctrine in clear, definitive terms, rather than focusing on issues such as migrants and the climate crisis.
The current Pope advocates for a more humble church that prioritizes service and aims to spread the Christian message in the world. Despite facing criticism, Francis has chosen to respond with grace and has even appointed leaders with differing views to Vatican departments.
In the 11th year of his papacy, the Pope is now taking stronger actions to address the opposition he has faced, which is primarily focused in the US, and in certain Roman circles. With his 87th birthday approaching and ongoing health challenges, he cannot afford to delay.
Pope Francis has decried the arms trade as the "industry of death."
Photo: VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)
Pope blasts arms trade as industry of death
Francis has made the decision to revoke some of Burke's privileges, including a subsidy for his 4,488-square-foot apartment and monthly stipend. This comes after the Pope previously removed Texan Bishop Joseph Strickland from his leadership post, who had accused Francis of undermining the central teachings of the church on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.
Supporters of Burke and Strickland have labeled Francis as a "dictator" pope, accusing him of stifling dissent, while others believe the Pope is simply disciplining his critics. Despite these attacks, Francis has allowed them to persist and has often chosen to ignore them. He understands that sometimes silence is the best response and acknowledges that reform often faces resistance.
Austen Ivereigh, a papal biographer, informed CNN that Francis had decided to revoke Cardinal Burke's apartment and salary as he had been misusing these privileges to work against the interests of the church. Ivereigh had a meeting with the Pope on November 27.
Bishop Joseph Strickland, left, speaks on November 15 to supporters outside the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Wesley Lapointe/The New York Times/Redux
"It's evident that his patience had finally reached its limit," Ivereigh stated. "Cardinal Burke had persistently challenged Francis' authority and teachings for a long time. This behavior would be alarming in any institution, but it is especially jarring in the Catholic Church, considering the unique importance of the papacy in maintaining unity."
Ivereigh mentioned that while Francis welcomes criticism, he emphasized that cardinals take a solemn oath of obedience to the pope and his successors.
CNN has contacted the Vatican for comment.
A Popes tolerance for dissent
In 2018, Burke addressed a group of Catholics in Rome, asserting that there are certain situations in which it would be justifiable to defy the pope. The audience reportedly responded with applause and cheers. This declaration would have been inconceivable during previous papacies, where conservative Catholics placed utmost importance on loyalty to the papacy. The cardinal from Wisconsin, known for his traditionalist views, criticized the signature reform effort led by Pope Francis, claiming that the synod "fails to recognize the divine nature of the church." This statement likely marked the breaking point for the Pope.
"A pope with Cardinal Burke's temperament would not have tolerated such dissent for even a single day, let alone a decade," remarked Dawn Eden Goldstein, a theologian and canon lawyer residing in Washington, DC.
Pope Francis attends the ecumenical prayer vigil in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
Remo Casilli/Reuters
Pope Francis strongly criticizes climate change skeptics and irresponsible Western lifestyles.
In the meantime, the Strickland case is different from Burke's. A bishop in the Catholic Church is not merely a "branch manager" for the Pope and has a certain degree of independence. Strickland was removed after a Vatican investigation into his leadership determined that it was not"feasible" for him to continue leading the Diocese of Tyler, located east of Dallas. Strickland also made the unprecedented move of questioning Francis's legitimacy, which contradicts the unity bishops are expected to uphold with popes.
In contrast, Burke still holds the position of a voting cardinal and was previously seen as a direct employee of the Pope in Rome. His criticism of Francis is expressed with more caution compared to that of Strickland's. Cardinals who head departments in the Roman Curia, the central administration of the church, are provided with accommodations and receive a monthly salary of up to $5,900. However, since Burke no longer holds a position in the church's central administration, the decision regarding his apartment is part of the Vatican's efforts to address financial challenges by ensuring competitive market rates for its properties.
The cardinal previously served as the prefect of the church's highest court and remained an adviser. He later became the patron of the Order of Malta, an ancient Catholic chivalric group, where he became involved in a public dispute with the Pope. The disagreement revolved around condom distribution, with Burke advocating for the removal of a member of the order and claiming to have the Pope's support. However, documents released by Wikileaks suggested that the cardinal did not have the authority from Pope Francis to take such action.
CNN has reached out to Strickland for comment, and Burke declined to comment.
American politics in play
Opposition to Francis is also linked to secular politics. Burke expressed his satisfaction with the election of President Donald Trump and has joined other US bishops in advocating for President Joe Biden, a Catholic, to be denied communion due to his support for abortion laws.
In 2004, Burke, then a bishop, announced he would not give communion to presidential candidate John Kerry for similar reasons. Although Francis has spoken out strongly against abortion, he does not endorse the idea of denying Biden communion. Strickland has labeled the US president as "evil" and delivered a video message to a rally aiming to overturn the 2020 election result. The politically charged church rhetoric is expected to escalate as the US enters an election year.
"MAGA (Make America Great Again) politics and MAGA Catholics have significant overlap, particularly in their shared culture war approach," stated David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, in an interview with CNN. "The focus is on fueling anger and shaping identity based on opposition rather than affirmation."
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke attends a 2017 consistory as Pope Francis elevates five prelates to the rank of cardinal at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
Both Trump supporters and Burke are concerned about losing their once-privileged positions in the church and society, leading them to idealize the past as a "golden age," according to Gibson. The Pope has criticized some of his opponents in the US as "backwardists," accusing them of replacing faith with ideology. Gibson also noted, "Cardinal Burke and those like him feel justified in opposing the Pope, believing themselves to be essential in saving the church from his leadership."
Pope Francis has welcomed both Trump and Biden to the Vatican.
Tactics that could backfire
Goldstein, the theologian and canon lawyer from DC, has crossed paths with the cardinal multiple times and asserts that "certain individuals and groups are aiming for Burke's perspective of the church to take precedence, as it would align the church more closely with political agendas."
The cardinal penned the preface for a book that criticized the synod, backed by a faction opposed to Catholic teachings on issues like the welfare of the impoverished, environmental care, indigenous communities, and migrants. This move by the cardinal aims to cultivate an image of a return to a bygone era, according to Goldstein, and Francis has been lenient in responding to these criticisms.
Goldstein noted that such opposition is unprecedented in recent times and would have been unthinkable during the previous papacies.
On June 16, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, USA, Catholic bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, delivered a speech at a demonstration opposing the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to recognize the pro-LGBTQ+ organization Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
Pope removes outspoken conservative Texas bishop after investigation
Some argue that revoking the privileges of the cardinals could have unintended consequences, turning Burke into a "martyr" for the cause. Massimo Faggioli, a church historian at Villanova University, suggested to CNN that it might elevate Burke to a kind of national cardinal, supported by US donors and likely to find alternative support in Rome. It could even resemble the "crown cardinals" of the past, nominated or funded by a European Catholic monarch, he added.
The decision regarding Burke could also impact future papal elections by alienating certain cardinal electors who may prefer a candidate with a different governing style than Francis.
The Pope is aware of the risks and is willing to take them in pursuit of his mission. In September, Francis appointed 21 new cardinals, with a diverse representation from different regions. His focus is on reorienting the church towards the core principles of the Christian faith. Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff highlighted this mission, posting a photo of Burke in a ceremonial cape on Twitter.
Boff, a former Franciscan priest, is a prominent advocate of liberation theology, a movement in Latin America focused on serving the impoverished. He faced opposition from the Vatican in the 1980s, but maintained positive relationships with Brazilian bishops and has the support of Pope Francis. "Francis is one of us," Boff stated in a 2016 interview with German newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
In a post where he shared a photo, Boff challenged conservative Christians, asking, "what does this cardinal, with all his grandeur, have to do with the Jesus who was born in a manger and died on a cross?"
