Archbishop Burke Issues Ultimatum to St. Stanislaus Board

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke has threatened to withhold the sacraments of the Roman Catholic church, including Communion, from board members of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in a dispute over control of the church.

"I warn you that your refusal to comply with the legitimate directives of the Holy See and me, your Archbishop, carries with it, the punishment of 'interdict or other just penalties,'" wrote Burke in a letter to the board members. The archbishop set a date of Feb. 4 for the board to comply with his directives.

I think Archbishop Burke has been more than generous with his patience with this group. They continue to act like spoiled children who are upset because they are being called to obedience.

The penalty of interdict would be issued by Burke, not by the Vatican, but its effect for the board members would be in place throughout the Catholic world, not just in the archdiocese of St. Louis. If Burke issues the penalty, the board members would be given an opportunity to respond during what would amount to an appeal. It would also be lifted if any of those penalized were to repent.

"I consider it a badge of honor," said board member Robert Zabielski. "I'm sticking up for what is right. Pedophiles in this church are transferred from diocese to diocese while good, faithful people are excommunicated." Zabielski said he was not surprised to receive the letter. "It was only a matter of time before something like this came," he said.

Roger Krasnicki, a St. Stanislaus spokesman, called Burke's warning "a heinous act."

"Archbishop Burke has gone far beyond his authority," he said, "and he has abused his authority in executing an order like this."

A badge of honor? A heinous act? It's shameful language that these menu use.

These professed Catholic men are in for a rude awakening, I believe. A proud and arroganct person always becomes disobedient and this rejection of humility and obedience always ends in spiritual death. The scandal that the board members give to others is yet another source of sin. For the sake of money, many people have abandoned our Lord, just as Judas did. I fear that some at St. Stanislaus are intent on doing the same. Perhaps with prayer and God's grace, these people will avoid further rupturing any bonds with the Church that they still have.

Source.