Pope Prediction: 10 Reasons Cardinal Burke Will Be the Next Pope

Canterbury Tales ^ | March 4, 2013 | DR. TAYLOR MARSHALL

[NYer]

His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke

Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

I'm making a very bold and controversial claim: His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke will be the next Pope. I'm going to provide you with 10 solid reasons why the cardinals will rally to him in the conclave for the required 2/3 vote majority. 

Let's be honest. Most people are claiming (or grumbling) that Cardinal Burke will never be elected as Pope. They say he's too heavy-handed, too ceremonial, too traditional, too political, and too serious to be papabile. If you're one of those people who think Burke is the best cardinal for the job, but look at your toes and sigh: "It'll never happen," then keep reading.

The problem is that the Burke naysayers are thinking like journalists and voters. (By the way, one of my favorite daily blogs: Rorate Coeli explains why the journalists get it wrong.) 

When the doors of the conclave close, men who would usually vote one way, vote another. Under the staring eyes painted onto the ceiling of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, these cardinals know that history is being made. The Pope they elect will have a difficult vocation. The Pope they elect will change the lives of billions of people both now...and in the future.

I want to challenge you to think like a cardinal in 2013. The cardinals are worried. Most cardinals knew that Pope Benedict had considered abdication, but most of them never thought it could actually happen. Here we are 50 years after the Council, right in the middle of the Year of Faith, and then suddenly the Pope resigns. 

Globally, the Catholic Church faces accusations. Here and there in local dioceses, there are spots of financial and sexual scandal (for example, in Los Angeles). The rumors in Rome surrounding Vatileaks, the Butler, and the Bank are still circulating. Cardinal O'Brien of Scotland just stepped down. The question of secular politicians and the Church is a concern. There is growing debate about liturgy and the Extraordinary Form. The SSPX dialogue fell flat. So in the middle of this storm, Pope Benedict abdicates. I think this is all part of the divine plan (Here's my post explain why I think the Blessed Virgin Mary asked Pope Benedict stepped down), but let's be honest. It's a traumatic time. Yet, whenever there is trauma, conservatism reigns.

The Cardinals will rally to a holy man who will prayerfully clean house and face down the evils, scandals, and rumors. There is only one cardinal who has vocalized a plan of attack for the political, liturgical, and canonical problems in the Church: his name is Raymond Cardinal Burke. 

Cardinal Burke is the only one who has explicitly proclaimed a way forward in these times of trouble. As in the last papal conclave, the cardinals will turn to a man who operates on sound principles. A man whose virtue is known by all. A man of the Gospel.

With that being said, here are the 10 reasons why Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke will be elected Pope.

  1. Burke is an open advocate for using canon law in defense of the sacraments and God's honor. He's a hardliner against pro-abortion Catholic politicians. He has openly spoken out against American and Irish Catholic politicians who advocate abortion, homosexual unions, etc. As Pope, he would back cardinals who have difficult decisions to make back home.

  2. Burke thinks seriously. He is theologically orthodox and can spot dissent. If you thought Ratzinger was a Rottweiler, then just look out! Burke once forced the cancellation of a Sheryl Crowe concert at a Catholic hospital...because she's pro-abortion. He sacked a St Louis Catholic basketball coach for supporting abortion and embryonic destruction. Cardinal Burke isn't afraid to play ball.

  3. His Eminence celebrates and promotes the Latin Mass and a reverent Novus Ordo. This is huge. Cardinal Schonborn's balloon Mass is not the way of the future of Catholicism. All the cardinals feel this. Pope Benedict moved us away from all that. Cardinal Burke will continue to carry Benedict's liturgical torch. Cardinal Burke brings noble dignity to the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. 

  4. ...which leads to the SSPX. As long as Benedict XVI is alive, it will be necessary for the next Pope to bring resolution to this traditionalist soap-opera. The reconciliation of the SSPX would be the greatest possible gift to Benedict's living legacy. To use baseball terminology, it would equate to a relief pitcher saving the game and earning a "win" for the starting pitcher who got behind in the run count.

  5. Speaking of the Latin Mass, Cardinal Burke has traditional liturgical flare (for example, he wears the cappa magna without blinking an eye). With rumors and scandals floating everywhere, Catholics are desperate to see visual dignity restored to the Holy See. 

For fun, here's Blessed John Paul II in his cappa magna:

And, yes historians, Cardinal Burke even wears the old Cardinals' galero:

If he's elected, will he wear the papal tiara?

  6. Burke will help the cardinals and bishops do what they know they need to do: discipline dissenting Catholic politicians. Burke called the US Democratic party "the party of death" and accused Barack Obama of being "anti-life and anti-family." He's not afraid. The cardinals need a Pope standing behind them who speaks like this.

  7. Cardinal Burke speaks the minimum languages necessary for a Supreme Pontiff: English, French, Latin and Italian.

  8. Cardinal Burke is the perfect age: 64. Almost everyone is convinced that the cardinals will elect a cardinal in his mid to late 60s.

  9. He is the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. This is a really big deal. The years to come require expertise in canon law, not just theology. Cardinal Burke is already a Vatican insider. He already has experience at the highest canonical authority, second only to the Supreme Pontiff himself.

  10. Most importantly, Cardinal Burke is extremely Marian. He has great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He continues the tradition beginning with Pope Pius IX and extending up to Bl John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. For me, Fatima is the key to everything going on in the Catholic Church. I think Cardinal Burke feels the same way. Moreover, he is close to the Friars of the Immaculate and he helped establish the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Please also read Cardinal Burke's piece on "Our Lady of America. 

Let me add one more - an eleventh reason: nobody suspects Cardinal Burke to be elected. That is almost always a necessary feature of a papal candidate.

So there you have it: 10 reasons (plus one) why the cardinals will rally to Cardinal Burke in the conclave. You'll see Cardinal Burke in a white cassock before end of March...maybe even donning the old tiara!

[Biggirl]

I should have sense that B16 was looking to step down once his most recent book, the one about the life and times of Jesus, of the infancy and childhold naritives when he said it was going to be his last book.

[Heart-Rest]

"He will be doing St. Patrick’s Day most likely in Rome this year! :)
To all the Irish FRpers, have a good and blessed St. Patrick’s day! :) "

Thanks, and a good and blessed St. Patrick's to you too!    (I'm 25% Irish, so I don't know if I can claim your complete greeting 100% until St. Paddy's Day when everyone is Irish!) ☺

I have to leave the computer right now, but first, top o' the mornin' to ya!

[pbear8]

You are certainly correct, Latin is not the answer to everything. However, yesterday when praying with the Cardinals in Rome, I found the Latin made the universality of the Church so evident. It was wonderful to pray with them the rosary in Latin and sing the Marian anthem of the season and Tantum Ergo of course.

In one sense, we are in an ideal situation here. For, though we are in the belly of the beast, God, in his Mercy and Wisdom, has given us two readily available TLMs which we are so grateful to attend. And, yes, the priests are excellent men. I grew up under +Roger Mahony though so I know what it is to suffer.

I was young when I read the actual translation of the Roman Canon, I was struck by the beauty and humility of the words and I felt cheated by the ICEL NO. That we are participating in a Sacrifice is so much clearer to me and the Latin has never been an issue.

We are welcome to sing the opening and closing hymns as well as the Ordinary and I enjoy that, I never see anyone praying the rosary during Mass but likely many of the older members used to in the past. It is helpful that our chapel is beautiful and the community is friendly and grateful to have what we have.

Last week a friend was in town and wanted us to meet at our territorial NO parish. This we did. It was great to see all our old friends there but, though we had fulfilled our Sunday obligation, we decided to go the the TLM as well. When I opened the door, it smelled right with the lingering scent of incense, I was filled with happiness.

Everyone is a in different place in their journey, of course, and we all have varied experiences but we can pray that the Holy Spirit will give us another man who will inspire reverence and joy in our priests and in us.

[bboop]

‘liberals seeking one of their own’ — Yes, the Catholic Church faces the same fight inside that we fight in US politics today. The 60s folks are bound and determined to change the world — and God — into THEIR image.

[stanne]

Nicely stated.

It was wonderful to pray the Tantum Ergo with the cardinals yesterday. I was wondering how it affected them to kneel down an dpreay with their peers and in a traditional manner.

Was thinking it must have brought some of them back to their boyhood and right back to the origins of their vocation and whta they’d originally hoped to accomplish.

Also, where people like to go to Mass, it really is all about where anyone is on their journey.

[Linda Frances]

Let me clarify some things. I grew up in the Catholic Church. I attended Catholic grade school and high school. I went to mass every single day, including summer. I said the rosary in Spanish (goes well with Latin) starting Ash Wednesday to Easter, on my knees in front of the statue of Mary at my grandmothers house with at least 20 others; kids and adults. We lived across the street from the church, convent, school. When I went to church, every morning before school, and in the summer. I heard Latin and did not understand it. If I tried hard I bet I could say the whole mass myself. We did not have English translation missalettes.

I do not want to go into details, but I grew up in a very abusive home, only to go to school and receive abuse there. I believe there were nuns who while intending to please God, make sacrifices so hard that lead them to take it out on others, many others. Priest too. I found out later that the priests were harming nuns in many ways, including not allowing them to have enough to eat, which leads to this vicious circle of dysfunction.

When I was in high school the church was changing; not so traditional. But the damage to me was done, so I stopped looking for God. I “did” what was expected of me, but in my heart I believed God did not care.

I was angry for many years, but in my early twenties I realized, they are just hurting people like me and forgave them and put it behind me just as I forgave my dad.

When my husband was stationed at Pearl Harbor Sub Base I decided to reconnect to God. I taught CCD and then again when we were in Omaha. It was in the church I was baptized in that I was told I should not have or read a bible. I wanted to learn more about God and His word. I know now God was hearing my prayers, even when I was little, because I was searching for Him. I believe had I not had all those terrible things happen to me I would be a whiny liberal today. I left the church after much study and prayer. All the different churches I went to at the time could not and would not answer my questions. I was always respectful, but not given respect or understanding back. I took it as a sign from God that He had different plans for me. I was right. By the way, today many Catholics Churches have bible studies, in English, to help people to learn more about God.

I respect the churches’ recent stand against abortion, homosexuality, and the evils of this world. I did not blame the whole church for the scandals that developed from some evil priest who either sexually abused children or those who protected them. I think Pedophiles use churches, many different denominations, to get close to children. On the other hand it really breaks my heart that the church I was baptized in, my mom too, is very anti-conservative. At their festivals , they allow democrats to speak, but not republicans. I'll let God deal with them, all I can do is pray for them.

When I said I was bored in church, it was because I really needed Him, but I only heard Latin or repetitive prayers. When I learned about all the martyrs and how many died because they would not turn from God I thought I had my answer. I use to pray that God would send someone to martyr me because I thought that was the only way for me to get to heaven. After all, everyone but my mom was mad at me and thought I was a bad person; even God, because he did not stop what was happening to me. I'm not looking for sympathy, because what happened to me brought me to where I am today. I know I am right with God. I know He loves me. I am continuing to learn his word and truth.

No, I do not believe you must be Catholic to go to heaven. I do think there are many Catholic who are going to heaven, but only God knows who they are, we are not to judge our follow believers.

I do care who is elected Pope because I have many Catholic friends. I still love the church in many ways because there were many kind nuns; some I still keep in contact with today. I want to see all Christ followers look to Him and His will for us and our country. Just like Obama is leading people away from God's truth, a good Pope can lead people to God and His truth.

I don't know why I'm telling you all this, but I do hope we conservatives can see we all are seeking the God of the bible. You may do some things I don't agree with and I'm sure you don't agree with some of my beliefs, but when it comes down to it, what we think won't matter, only what God thinks.

[sneakers]

Wow Linda! So sorry to hear about the bad experiences! In a way, I don’t blame you. My experience was quite different. My mom married a non-Catholic whose family hated Catholics. They interfered in my parents marriage and kept throwing religion up to my mom, who was a such a good woman. She never bad-mouthed my dad’s family’s religion - I still have no idea what it was, they just said they were “Christian” and we were not. Thank goodness we didn’t live near those relatives and our parish church was a center of activity as was the Catholic school we attended. The nuns and priests were all cheerful and loving and so I have nothing but good memories of that time.

I guess we are all formed by the good and bad experiences in our lives.

God bless you.
sneaks

[Berlin_Freeper]

Why Not Burke?

[Berlin_Freeper]

Mic'd Up "The Conclave and the New York Times Schism Poll" 3-6-13

[Coleus]

we now have bergolio