Inescapable Considerations

Of one mind...

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) — Conventional wisdom holds that no one from the United States could be elected pope, that the superpower has more than enough worldly influence without an American in the seat of St. Peter. 

But after Pope Benedict XVI's extraordinary abdication, church analysts are wondering whether old assumptions still apply, including whether the idea of a U.S. pontiff remains off the table.

Cardinal Raymond L. Burke is an exceptional leader and shepherd. I worked closely with him in Saint Louis for several years and, having since returned to Milwaukee, I remain in contact with him. He is deeply humble, extraordinarily prayerful, gracious, generous with his time, brilliant, and, to round it off, very classy. A quick and rare personal anecdote: on two occasions, my parents went to Rome. Cardinal Burke had them over for a private lunch at his residence both times. He is that kind. That hospitable. That's all I'm gonna say.