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Bishop Burbidge reacts to Archbishop Viganò’s letter

Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge records a recent “Walk Humbly Podcast” with Billy Atwell, chief communications officer. NATALIE J PLUMB | COURTESY

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge was eating
dinner with fellow priests when the news broke that former papal nuncio to the
United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, had released his unprecedented
letter detailing alleged misconduct in the Vatican. “I got in my car and I saw
all these text messages. I said, ‘What is happening?’ ” said Bishop Burbidge,
relaying the incident on his weekly “Walk Humbly Podcast.” 

After reading the letter, Bishop Burbidge echoes the call of
Cardinal Daniel D. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops. “We need to review (this) letter carefully, comprehensively,
thoroughly and evidence needs to be given,” said Bishop Burbidge. “But the
bottom line is, we need to know the truth. All the faithful need to hear the
answers to the questions. Cardinal DiNardo is asking the Holy Father to assist
in putting into place the support we need to get those answers.” 

Bishop Burbidge encouraged the faithful
to not draw premature conclusions and to avoid infighting. “What I’m seeing
happening within the church, within the diocese and even among bishops is (division)
— people taking sides,” he said. “I think that’s the last thing we need in the
church right now.

 “These are dark times — we don’t need to
compound it by being split. Let’s have due process. We need clarity but allow
that to take place. There’s no need to discredit or make judgments at this point.  Let’s follow that process,” he said.

Preserving the body of Christ is
critical during this church crisis, said Bishop Burbidge. “People ask me, ‘What
can we do?’ We do the works of God, we grow closer to him, (and) we try to make
the body of Christ stronger,” he said. “If anyone leaves the body, the
community is weaker. If we’re alienating ourselves from certain people within
the body, then we’re hurting it. So pray for that grace to remain united as
God’s family, as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Bishop Burbidge reiterated the words of
Joshua, which he quoted during his homily at a recent Mass for victims of
sexual abuse: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

“The evil one would want nothing more
than for us to be paralyzed,” said Bishop Burbidge. “We’re all feeling anger
and sadness, we’re disillusioned and confused. Imagine if we all could say, ‘I’m
going through a lot of emotions here, these are very difficult times, (but) as
for me and my household, we are going to serve the Lord.’ That’s how good
triumphs over evil.”

 

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