From the Rome of the West, there is news that the Most Rev. Raymond Leo Burke, the Archbishop of St. Louis, has been appointed Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura.
Archbishop Burke recorded the following statement, which can be found on the archdiocesan website:
Archbishop Burke is one of the most talented canonists in America. His tenure in St. Louis was marked by many courageous stands.
On a more personal note, he was a devoted friend of those attached to the Latin Mass. It was at his invitation that priests from the Institute of Christ the King came to St. Louis. It was upon his inspiration that the former St. Francis de Sales Parish became an oratory devoted to the Latin Mass. By doing so, he saved a priceless architectural treasure— a church nicknamed “The Cathedral of the South City”, known for having the tallest steeple in St. Louis. It was the personal intervention of Burke that saved St. Francis de Sales from destruction; when he arrived in St. Louis, there were bulldozers in the parking lot. I am deeply grateful for the sound pastoral care that I received from Fr. Lenhardt and Fr. Fournier at St. Francis de Sales. Although I was in St. Louis for only a short time, I remember with great fondness my times at the Oratory— the beauty of the liturgy and devotions and the steadfast faith of the people. The vibrancy of Catholic life at St. Francis de Sales Oratory is a model that parishes should seek to emulate.
Now, the Holy Father has called the Archbishop to serve the Universal Church in Rome as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, a position from which he will oversee the promotion of justice throughout the Church.
Archbishop Burke is a model of courage, justice, virtue and holiness and remains a great personal hero.
