Cardinal Burke deplores "persecution" of the Tridentine Mass

US Cardinal and papal critic Raymond Leo Burke has lamented the "persecution" of the pre-conciliar liturgy, better known as the Tridentine Mass. According to the internet portal "National Catholic Reporter" (Wednesday), Burke said at the "New York Men's Leadership Forum" that the reason for this was the impoverishment of the Eucharist as a result of the Council reforms, which made it "appear as something commonplace".

Burke also commented on the denial of communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. It is a scandal when Catholics publicly promote abortion and trans rights, he said. He did not mention US President Joe Biden or other politicians by name, but added: "I don't need to mention their names because it's obvious," the cardinal emphasised to the audience of around 150 exclusively male listeners at the New York Men's Forum.

Burke, who comes from the US state of Wisconsin, was appointed president of the highest church court, the Apostolic Signature, in the Vatican in 2008 and was promoted to cardinal shortly afterwards. Pope Francis removed him from this position in 2014 after Burke criticised him on moral theological issues. He also criticised Francis in 2016 for his post-synodal exhortation "Amoris laetitia" and in 2023 for the participation of lay people in the World Synod. A few days ago, he hit the headlines because of his 400-square-metre flat near St Peter's Square, which is allegedly paid for by donors. (mtr)