Cardinal Burke's withdrawal - a sad loss

In his letter cancelling the engagement, Cardinal Raymond Burke cited Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice's critical remarks on the Bishops of England and Wales.



Cardinal Raymond Burke - "Not right
for me to give a presentation in any place which
in any way would reflect the lack of respect
for the office of Bishop in that place"



Comments such as..... “our bishops are obdurate in their refusal to allow our glorious Catholic faith to be taught in our schools” were the main cause of His Eminence's decision to cancel. He saw the proposed talk, quite rightly, as being an excellent opportunity for PEeP to lambast the Bishops.

Now, I am all for lambasting Bishops if they deserve it but, this was a golden opportunity to provide a platform for the Cardinal to speak, equably on the chosen subject, "The Restoration of Church Discipline and Evangelisation."

If the pre talk PR had not been so focused on bashing the Bishops, Cardinal Burke would still be planning to come. It does seem as if Daphne Macleod has shot herself in the foot on this occasion. Such a pity. Such a loss.

Mrs Macleod defended her stance by stating that they (PEeP) were "whistleblowers" and, as a result had enemies. Next time, if there is one, "Softly, softly catchee monkey" is not a bad maxim to observe.