Mixed Reaction Over Archbishop Burke's Departure

By Kasey Joyce

KSDK -- The reaction to Archbishop Raymond Burke's departure is mixed. Some say it's a sad day for St. Louis while others are ready to see him leave.

Burke admits his four years in St. Louis have not been easy, and his decisions have not always been popular.

"An impression of me was created that was quite negative," Burke said of his time in St. Louis.

But some St. Louisans do not care.

"He loves the church and I will miss him terribly," said Roseanne Twellman.

Others are happy to see him go.

"This will be a better and safer community without Archbishop Burke," said David Clohessy, the head of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Clohessy said Burke didn't do enough to keep the churches safe.

"There's no bishop in America who has voluntarily accepted so many pedophile priests and sexually troubled priests into his diocese as Archbishop Burke," Clohessy said.

But Burke disagrees. He said both he and the Pope were working to stop the abuse once and for all.

"The commitment of the church to make sure this never happens again is absolute," Burke said.

One of his greatest regrets in St. Louis was the controversy with St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Although, Burke believes he did the right thing.

"I don't know a bishop who would have enjoyed dealing with those situations, but I don't regret having faced those situations head on," Burke said.

Burke stripped the church of its standing and excommunicated its priest after the church refused to give up its independence.

"Over and over again, this archbishop has caused more scandal and more controversy than any other archbishop in us history," Father Marek Bozek of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church said.

Bozek has mixed feelings about Burke's departure.

"Rejoice St. Louis," Bozek said. "Be aware, Catholics around the globe."

Burke hopes the controversy will not overshadow his successes.

"For all the faults that I've had, I've wanted to be a very good shepherd and a loving shepherd for the flock here," Burke said.