Tuesday, January 11, 2005

New Bishop Opens Door to "Dialogue"?

The successor to the Most Rev. Raymond Burke, who grew up in Stratford and was bishop of the diocese of La Crosse before moving on to the archdiocese of St. Louis, is cut from the same cloth.

Similar to Burke, Listecki came from average origins, as the son of a steelworker on Chicago's blue collar southeast side.

Like Burke, Bishop Jerome Listecki spent time in Rome, where he caught the pontiff's eye. Both are respected scholars.
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Those who opposed Burke's statements on communion for Catholics whose politics are out of step with Rome, his ban on CROP Walk participation and his position on homosexuality are unlikely to find greater comfort in Listecki.

The church's teachings haven't changed, after all.

There is a chance now, however, for Listecki to initiate a more constructive discussion between Catholics and other believers about the core issues that led to Burke's strong stances that, however principled and proper according to Catholic theology, were poorly explained and received.
There is little possibility that Archbishop Burke's explanations could not be understood, except by those whose minds were closed. Archbishop Burke clearly explains the Church's teachings and gives more than adequate reasons for his steps in disciplinary actions. It remains a failure of those who are opposed to these matters if the explanations are not well received. After all, unless one accepts the grace of conversion and conforms his will to God's will, it is unlikely that he would accept the, sometimes hard, teachings of Christ and His Church.
It's a shallow understanding of bedrock principles that leads to some worshippers' disenchantment when a Bishop Burke bursts upon the scene. A deeper knowledge may well lead to a stronger commitment and more fulfilling religious life.
Is that statement ever true...

Source.

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