Statement of Archbishop Raymond Burke: in Response to Randall Terry Interview

ROME, Italy (Catholic Online) - On March 25, 2009 Randall Terry held a Press Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. At the Conference he showed and released the transcript of an interview which he had done with the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

On March 26, 2009, several reliable sources, including "Whispers in the Loggia", released the following official responsive statement from the Office of His Excellency, Archbishop Burke, expressing serious concerns over the use of the interview and the statement. We set it forth in its entirety, with no comment, for our readers:

Statement of His Excellency Archbishop Raymond Burke in Response to the use by Randall Terry of his interview

�Recently, Mr. Randall Terry and some of his associates visited me in Rome and asked to videotape an interview with me to share with pro-life workers for the purpose of their encouragement. The interview was conducted on March 2, 2009.

�Sadly, Mr. Terry has used the videotape for another purpose which I find most objectionable.

�First, Mr. Terry issued a media advisory which gave the impression that I would be physically present at the press conference during which he played the videotape, when, in fact, I was in Rome.

�Second, I was never informed that the videotape would become part of a press conference.

�Third, I gave the interview as a Bishop from the United States to encourage those engaged in the respect life apostolate, not as the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

�Fourth, I was never informed that the videotape would be used as part of a campaign of severe criticism of certain fellow bishops regarding the application of Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law.

�If I had known what the true purpose of the interview was, I would never have agreed to participate in it.

�I am deeply sorry for the confusion and hurt which the wrong use of the videotape has caused to anyone, particularly, to my brother bishops.�

(Most Rev.) Raymond L. Burke

It was simply unfortunate that Archbishop Burke was not completely informed about the use of the interview. Everyone should know that these are the correct thoughts that all Catholics should adhere to. Naturally Arch. Burke would not attack a fellow Bishop directly and this is exactly what happened. Arch. Burke was speaking to the issue of Canon 915 and that is why he made the statement. It was not fair to use it at a press conference with him not present.

Elizabeth Forshaw | 4/9/2009

These are exactly the kind of shenanigans that make it so hard for men and women of faith to find a place in political and social activism. Either we're stuck with the unfaithful, or we are associated with the kind of nonsense that Mr. Terry has apprently perpetrated. If we really care about these issues of life and family, then we have a responsibility to be loving, charitable, honest, and humble in promoting them.

Tyler | 3/26/2009

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