Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Letter Writing Campaign in Support of Archbishop Burke

Back on March 3rd, there was a post about a VOTF letter writing campaign and a recommendation to have our campaign in support of Archbishop Burke prior to his receiving the pallium at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on June 29. Part of the recommendation I received follows:
I think we should have our own letter-writing campaign. Let's tell the Apostolic Nuncio Bishop Gabriel Montalvo and Archbishop Burke that he has our 'trust and backing' by virtue of his track-record in the Cold North, and that VOTF St. Louis is the tiny voice of a self-described faithful which doesn't speak for us. We should mention the VOTF letter-writing campaign so everyone knows what we're responding to.

Let's get the campaign underway. There's the Credo Newsletter, the TFP America Needs Fatima group, the Latin Liturgy Association, and Women for Faith and Family. I bet we could publicize it on WRYT if we tried. We can encourage all these to get the campaign underway to coincide with Archbishop Burke's investure with the Pallium on June 29th. Everyone should compose a letter and have it ready to mail on June 1st. Can we get 500 letters mailed to Bishop Montalvo and the chancery?

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Below is a sample letter...
Remember, these letters should be mailed on or about June 1, for the best effect and impression AND we need to have HUNDREDS of people involved.


Most Rev. Bishop Gabriel Montalvo
Apostolic Nuncio
3339 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008-7121

Your Excellency,

I am aware of a letter writing campaign undertaken by the self-described "Voice of the Faithful" in St. Louis expressing concern about not being consulted about Justin Cardinal Rigali's departure, and most especially about Archbishop Raymond Burke's appointment. I would like to tell you about other voices.

Many here in St. Louis are proud to have seen our former Archbishop honored by the Church, and wish him continued success in his new posting. We understand that Roman Catholics go when they are sent. We are reminded of this tradition at the close of every Mass with the clever play on words: "ite, Missa est".

Many, including myself, are grateful to the Holy Father for the appointment of Archbishop Raymond Burke, an heroic defender of the Faith, to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Even without our involvement in the selection process, Archbishop Burke can be confident that he has the trust and support of many in the Archdiocese by virtue of his courageous actions in LaCrosse and here in St. Louis since his arrival.

Thank you for your work as the ambassador of Pope John Paul II to the Church in the United States, and please do not be swayed by dissidents identifying new "faith traditions". I am sure they are moved by a Spirit, but the question remains, "Is it Holy?".

Sincerely yours in Christ,
The fax number for the Apostolic Nuncio is (202)337-4036.

The address for the chancery in St Louis is:
Chancery of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
4445 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108

Fax: (314)633-2333

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