What would Raymond do?

In his latest salvo fired against a local parish, St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke has revoked the charter of St. Stanislaus Church, essentially stripping them of their standing as a Roman Catholic Church. This comes after he successfully had the six church board members and the priest they hired ex-communicated just in time for Christmas. There's that "what would Jesus do?" principle in action.

If you know a little of Burke's history, you might assume that he's trying to quash an uppity group of parishoners who have the temerity to operate a little independently. It would seem to fit his M.O. Everything he does appears mean spirited and vindictive.

But I don't think that's the story. What Burke is really after (like the rest of us, I suppose, but with his own brand of "values") is the money. St. Stanislaus has money and property, and their charter, granted by the church, says they can control it. Now that they are no longer a Catholic Church, they are in violation of the charter and subject to legal action.

Smooth move, Ray.