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	Reaction to Burke's Departure By Paul Hampel, Doug Mooreand Jordan Wilson St. Louis Post-Dispatch June 28, 2008 http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/AFE0BD3845BB4D68862574760010B1FB?OpenDocument Even the staunchest supporters of Archbishop Raymond Burke said he is divisive and controversial, but they also said Friday that it is his passion as a religious leader that matters most. "I respect that the archbishop stood up for what he believed in, and I'll miss him," said Helen Adam of Richmond Heights. "But I won't miss the controversy." Adam learned that Burke is leaving St. Louis for a high Vatican office when Monsignor John B. Shamleffer made the announcement at a noon Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clayton. Word of Burke's departure spread quickly through the St. Louis Catholic community. Laurie Schueddig, the bookkeeper at St. Robert's Catholic Church in St. Charles, found out about 8 a.m. The rumor was out there, so she wasn't surprised. "He was trying to do the best he could to lead us," Schueddig said. "This is a true calling for him." Mary Beth Rolwes of Kirkwood said she cried when she heard the news early Friday. Rolwes said she became a friend of Burke's through her work as a member of the Annual Catholic Appeal Council. "People who don't know him think of him as an intimidating steamroller who's intent on having his way," Rolwes said. "But to spend five minutes with him is to know that he is a humble, loving and gentle man." Terry McHugh of Kirkwood said being a good leader sometimes means stepping on toes. "Was he diplomatic? Probably not," McHugh said. "But people of faith are not looking for a diplomat." Kathy Kasprzyk, who has attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles for 22 years, said she hopes the next archbishop is a little more welcoming and open but she wouldn't mind another archbishop in Burke's image. "In this day and age, you need that strictness," she said. At the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica's noon Mass on Friday, sitting among tourists were older Catholics who said the archbishop was a leader more concerned with preserving the church canons than hurting some feelings along the way. Among them was an elderly nun who has closely watched Burke's leadership. She heaped praise on his tenure. Considering that her name is Sister Charlotte Rigali, the high marks should mean something. She is the older sister of Cardinal Justin Rigali, Burke's predecessor as St. Louis archbishop. She shrugged off the criticism that has come Burke's way, and she believes he did, too. "I don't think he cared," Rigali said. "His priority was being a bishop, to keep the faith." dmoore@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8125
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