VATICAN CITY
International Policy Digest

by BBC October 18, 2014

A leading American cardinal has told BuzzFeed that he is to be demoted from his position running the Catholic Church justice system. Cardinal Raymond Burke is a staunch critic of Pope Francis’ moves to soften the Church’s stance on homosexuality.

He said that he was to be moved to the far less senior post of patron of the sovereign military order of Malta.

Pope Francis is leading a council in the Vatican on possible reforms to Church teaching on social issues. A preliminary report on the initial discussions at the extraordinary Synod on the family was released on Monday.

The report, which was written by more than 200 bishops, said homosexuals had “gifts and qualities to offer,” and used more welcoming language when discussing homosexuality and its place in the Church.

Although it does not challenge the Church’s stance…