ROME (CNS) -- Limiting the number of Muslims allowed to immigrate to traditionally Christian nations would be a prudent decision on the part of politicians, said U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke.
During a pro-life and pro-family conference in Rome May 17, the day before Italy's March for Life, Cardinal Burke outlined his views on immigration.
"To resist large-scale Muslim immigration in my judgment is to be responsible," Cardinal Burke said, responding to a written question.
Islam "believes itself to be destined to rule the world," he said. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what has happened in Europe," the cardinal said, citing the large Muslim immigrant populations in France, Germany and Italy.
Cardinal Burke's comments are the latest addition to a debate among Catholics regarding the application of Gospel precepts to the large numbers of migrants arriving in Western nations from Africa and the Middle East.
In early May, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the pope's almoner, told a reporter that the Vatican would refuse a papal blessing to Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister, who is known for his restrictive immigration policies.
Cardinal Burke said that the while the church must be generous to "individuals that are not able to find a way of living in their own country," this is not the case for many Muslim migrants, "who are opportunists."
The cardinal mentioned the book "No Go Zones: How Sharia Law is Coming to a Neighborhood Near You," written by former Breitbart News reporter Raheem Kassam, as evidence that Muslim immigration is having an effect even in the United States.
Pope Francis has made a generous attitude toward migrants a cornerstone of his pontificate, underlining the Christian duty to "welcome the stranger" over political or demographic considerations, although he repeatedly has added that government leaders have a responsibility to assess how many migrants their countries truly can integrate. Such an assessment should include the financial costs of helping immigrants learn the local language and customs, the pope has said.
Answering the written question from a conference participant, Cardinal Burke said Christian nations' abandonment of traditional moral norms has been a cause of Europe's Muslim influx.
"Muslims have said that they are able today to accomplish what they were not able to accomplish in the past with armaments because Christians no longer are ready to defend their faith, what they believe; they are no longer ready to defend the moral law," the cardinal said.
Another reason for the demographic shift, the cardinal said, is that "Christians are not reproducing themselves," referring to the widespread use of contraceptives.
In this context, Catholics have a duty to instruct migrants on "what is bankrupt in the culture" into which they are received. To the extent possible, Catholics should even to try to work with them "to recover what is true culture," which includes a recognition of the dignity of life, respect for sexual morality and proper worship of God, the cardinal said.
In view of these considerations, limiting "large-scale Muslim immigration is in fact, as far as I'm concerned, a responsible exercise of one's patriotism," Cardinal Burke said.
In April, Cardinal Burke contributed a foreword to a book titled, "Love for the Papacy and Filial Resistance to the Pope in the History of the Church," by Roberto de Mattei, an Italian historian.
"At a time of profoundest spiritual and moral crisis, the Catholic Church needs more than ever before to recall her sacred tradition, unbroken from the time of the apostles," the cardinal wrote.
Cardinal Burke, 70, is perhaps best known as one of four cardinals who, opposed to the possibility that some divorced and civilly remarried couples might eventually be readmitted to the sacraments, wrote a series of "dubia" or doubts about Pope Francis' 2016 exhortation on the family, "Amoris Laetitia."
Another speaker at the conference, Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, Netherlands, said gender theory undermines the roles of mothers, fathers and married spouses. It also impairs the biological relationship between parents and children and harms the ability to share the church's teachings about God as a Holy Trinity.
"In this way, damage is also inflicted on the analogy between the relationship between Christ and the church on the one hand and the relationship between husband and wife on the other," he said.
Gender theory "radically contradicts the church's teaching that the place of a sexual relationship can only be between a man and woman, within matrimony, and must always be open to procreation," the cardinal said.
The cardinal, who trained as a medical doctor before he became a priest, said those who experience gender dysphoria experience "great suffering," and they should be "taken seriously."
They need to be offered psychological support, including psychotherapy, he said. The answer is not hormonal treatment or surgery.
"Surgery is not the good answer to a psychological problem."
Read the headline. Ask yourself why this was cherry picked from the rest of what Cardinal Burke said? How about
Also ask yourself after informing yourself on what is in the Quran, Hadith and the Sira if Islam is compatible with Western Civilization. If it is not, then is it reasonable to ask that they not come to Western countries?
Interesting choice of photo. Here is a more flattering photo from another article about Burke at the same conference http://bit.ly/2HIZtyn. The more interesting thing is the content of Burke's talk. It is also about patriotism but against world government. It is a more positive analysis of what Cardinal Burke was saying and highlights the Church's push for a global government.
What aspects of Western Civilization is Islam incompatible with? Regardless of the faith tradition, people often read the sacred texts through a lens that distorts and narrows the meaning. Many fine upstanding Christians use the Bible to justify vengeance, anger, retribution, exclusion, inequality and all sorts of behaviors that are definitely not what Jesus had in mind. Just as people quoted Scripture to support Auchwitz, there are Muslims who use the Quran as a command to violence. This says far more about their own philosophy and values than it does about the core teachings of the God that they profess to serve.
Read http://bit.ly/2WtNiz3 by a former Muslim
Rationalism, self-criticism, the disinterested search for truth, the separation of church and state, the rule of law, equality before the law, freedom of conscience and expression, human rights, liberal democracy and others
Sounds like the GOP!! It also sounds as if the same could be said about the perspective of many Christians including church leaders
Yes. these are the things that have led almost all of the world out of poverty and led even the poorest to the possibility of a meaningful life.
Absolutely!
Absolutely!
The term "Sunni" means customs, conduct or behavior. It means the customs, conduct or behavior of Mohammed and his immediate followers who are to be emulated because Mohammed was the perfect human being according to Islam. I suggest you read just what Muslims believe this behavior and conduct was. You might ask which Muslims today are truly following the customs, conduct or behavior of Mohammed and his immediate followers.
Every report is “cherry-picked”: Trump’s “grab em by the....” Clinton’s “basket of deplorables,” etc. The outrageous things that men and women do lives after them, the sensible are buried with their bones.
There are many Muslims in my neighborhood. In fact, they own most of the stores. They are entrepreneurs and capitalists. And good neighbors. Not only are they compatible with Western civilization (which is part of why they want to live here), Americans should be so industrious and responsible,
Burke is a pig and should be defrocked.
That is going a bit too far. He is a very conservative voice in his church, and the fact that he angers many younger clergy makes him a force against that for which he advocates.
I have “dubia” about Burke's suitability as a Cardinal!
The ignorance demonstrated by these two cardinals is astounding.
Everything the Cardinal says makes perfect sense to me. Islam is slowly destroying western Europe. There's no way to sugar coat this fact.
Trump is destroying our country. There is no way to sugar coat the fact.
Trump is a narcissistic sociopath who will destroy more than our country. And the religious right are helping him to do so by believing Trump was ordained by God.
Islam is not destroying Europe. There is turmoil in Europe on any number of problems, and the introduction of certain values which are alien to the Western Tradition is a factor in the turmoil, but I do not see this as entirely negative.
I cannot help but think what our Catholic Forefathers, who immigrated to the US and endured a similar persectution and additudes would feel about cardinal Burk’s comments — being consistent he would be in agreemwent with those who believed catholics were not good for the USA and should not be allowed into the country. ... It also makes me very sad how impotent he sees out Faith in the face of the muslim influence- I see it as an opportunity to be Christ to them- who knows, maybe if we could show them the face of Christ they might see Him and desire Him in our chruch. Isn’t that how we are supposed to bring Christ to the World? Instead he sees us as weak and unable to counter their influence- what does that say about the power of Christ.in His church?
I love your tolerance! I am a non-Catholic fan of the Jesuits, and I am also an advocate of radical tolerance.
K. Sawchenko- So true!
Who will rid us of this meddlesome Cardinal?
Totally appalling. This is not Catholicism as I know it.
Cardinal Burke, eloquently describes the charitable acceptance of Muslims in Christian countries. He defends the love of country, placing it below the love of God, and the love of family. In doing so he expects Catholics to accept Muslims who respect our moral laws and traditions. We need his voice in our Church.
Denise- What does he offer to help in the meantime? If they don't accept our moral laws and traditions, then what? Continue to look the other way? Abandon them?
"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what has happened in Europe." Is he talking about the Inquisition? That was certainly a high point of Catholic faith...at least Burke's Catholic "faith."
Islam "believes itself to be destined to rule the world" See Mt.28:19 :Go forth and make disciples of all nations." Also Crusades, Iberian conversos, forced native conversions, pogroms, etc. etc. Then re-read Douay Rheims Mt: 7:5 "First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye"
Amazing that this silly poofter hasn't been ordered into silence by the Holy Father.
Even more amazing it is that the usual racist tribe of Trumpo Commenters here are getting all huffy and claiming that the photo selected for the story isn't flattering to His Cappa Magna Magnificence !
According to Cardinal Eijk from the Netherlands "...gender theory ... harms the ability to share the church's teachings about God as a Holy Trinity." A good friend of mine, studying to be a deacon, proudly showed me the picture of the Holy Trinity he was using for an assignment. God was an old man with a beard, Jesus was a young man with a beard, and the Holy Spirit was a bird. When I asked him if he believed that women were also formed in the image of God, he said yes. I asked him in which one of those three persons was I supposed to see myself. He had no answer. I don't think gender theory is to blame if people don't see the connection of the Holy Trinity to a family. Or, if instead, they see the possibility for gay relationships as being generative, just as the Church teaching claims is true of the Holy Trinity.
You want to see yourself as God?
Yes, Eve was certainly your mother.
One would think his emenince would see this as an opportunity to evangelize and bring the Muslim people of God to baptism in Christ and the church. We could fill the pews.
Aquinas wrote that it is legitimate to deny entry into your country those who held beliefs inimical to your country's culture. Is sharia inimical to Western democratic culture and tradition.
Interesting- Neither Cardinal Burke, nor his supporters offer a solution, he just proposes we keep 'them' out. What should we do about it, leave them all at sea? Ignore their plight? Absolutely shameful! Until there is a solution where no-one is forced from their homeland because of war or poverty, etc, we are responsible to help our neighbour, ALL of our neighbours, Christian, Muslim, etc. ALL of them. It is unconscionable to turn a blind eye because it poses a strain on us. This holier than thou cardinal needs to read the catechism again. His lack of compassion is truly disheartening.
Poverty has been the norm of the world since humans have existed. Just over 200 years ago 98% of the world.s population including Europe lived in extreme poverty. So a small part of the world found a way out of poverty 350 years ago. That way was open for all the world to emulate but it didn’t? Why?
It’s still available but much of the world doesn’t emulate. It will not be solved by having 6 billion people try to move to relatively small parts of the world.
As I said above Islam is incompatible with Western values and Cardinal Burke is right in his assessment. The Muslim emigrates should seek out Muslim countries.
For example, the making of laws is anathema to Muslims. The Quran and the Hadith have the only laws necessary for humans. Muslims coming to Western society cannot properly be Muslims so the must change it.
Catechism of the Catholic Church @1911- "Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. the unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education, . . . and certain situations arising here and there, as for example . . . alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families."
@2241 “The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.”
@1912- The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around."30 This order is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love.
It is our moral obligation to help, it always has and always will be. To suggest the western world has found the solution to fight poverty, and all 'they' have to do is emulate it suggests our lifestyle has no impact on their lifestyle. Who is kidding who here?
For a cardinal who seems so certain the pope isn't following catholic teaching and tradition, he sure doesn't appear to have a problem ignoring social teachings, which are clearly based on Christ's teachings.
I don't normally agree with Burke, but when he calls Muslim migrants "opportunists" he is spot on. Just as a good way to describe the Latinos flooding thru Mexico to the USA--despite Mexico offering them residence, jobs, similar language and culture--are best called "asylum shoppers".
Burke should spend some time meditating on the image of the Holy Family behind him in the photo that went with this story that comes with the title "Voice of the Family." This family were refugees. Do you think "Voice of the Family" would say keep others out after they themselves had fled to Egypt? If Christians were to offer radical (faith-based), loving hospitality to these Muslim refugees, maybe they might reduce the hate and injustice in the world and further the reign of God. Jesus taught in the end we will be judged by how we welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:31-46) and lifted up the love of a religious heretic as a model of love of neighbor (Luke 10:25-37). Burke needs to spend more time with the least of these than with the wealthy fear mongers to understand the teachings of the Head of the Church.
You need to understand the teachings of Islam. Read about the Quran, the Hadith and the Sira. It is nothing like Christianity. People assume Islam is just like most forms of Christianity. It isn’t.
It is not only not patriotic, it is completely unconstitutional. What part of "no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" don't some people understand.
By the way, they used to say the same about Catholics. There was LARGE opposition to Irish immigration, and it wasn't because they were Irish, it was because they were Catholic.