An Irish American Catholic journalist has been hired by the Vatican to spread the good word – at the third time of asking.
Fox News correspondent Greg Burke has been appointed as a senior communications advisor to the Pope.
Burke, a 52-year-old from St Louis, has been hired by the Pontiff to improve the Vatican’s communications strategy. He arrives at a time of crisis for the Catholic Church after years of scandal and communications blunders.
The Associated Press reports that Burke will take up his new position in the Vatican’s secretariat of state.
He told AP: “I’m a bit nervous but very excited. Let’s just say it’s a challenge.
“I had been offered the job twice before. You’re shaping the message, you’re molding the message, and you’re trying to make sure everyone remains on-message. And that’s tough.”
Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed Burke’s appointment to AP.
He said Burke will help integrate communications issues within the Vatican’s top administrative office, the secretariat of state, and will help handle its relations with the Holy See press office and other Vatican communications offices.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Burke is a member of the conservative Opus Dei movement.
Pope John Paul II’s long-time spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, was also a member of Opus Dei.
AP reports that the Vatican has been bedeviled by communications blunders ever since Pope Benedict XVI’s 2005 election.
It is currently dealing with a scandal over Vatican documents that were leaked to Italian journalists.
In his interview with AP, Burke acknowledged the task ahead.
“After turning down the Vatican twice before, I went with my gut and accepted third time around,” he said.
“This is an opportunity and challenge that I’m not going to get again.”
He told AP that he didn’t know what, if any, role his membership in Opus Dei played.
Burke said: “I’m an old-fashioned Midwestern Catholic whose mother went to Mass every day.
“Am I being hired because I’m in Opus Dei? It might come into play. But I was also in Opus when I was hired by Time and Fox.”
Burke has been a Fox correspondent since he joined the conservative U.S. network in 2001 and was the Time magazine correspondent in Rome for a decade before that.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelb | Jun 28, 2012, 11:03 PM EDT
I suppose Eamonn you're a member of Opus Dei ?? just asking.
seanomelb | Jun 28, 2012, 02:03 PM EDT
Well Eamonn I'm glad you agree with me on the fascist right murdering innocent Nicaraguans and also that Bush began the "arms to drug lords" affair.Be careful your eight year old daughter doesn't see through your nitpicking.
EamonnDublin | Jun 28, 2012, 05:35 AM EDT
Come on Seán - We can't let you away with that one! You know as well as the rest of us that the Obama administration changed the Bush policy of allowing the guns to progress to the point of illegal sale and then arresting the buyer as well as the seller. That was a sound and pretty successful policy. The Omananites changed this to allowing the guns to walk without a trace, and thus the guns' whereabouts obviously got lost. My eight year old granddaughter would instantly recognise the stupidity of the Obama policy - and its road to tragedy. The two policies differ at the most basic level. By the way, have you heard from "HarryByrnes" lately? I think I shot him down. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
seanomelb | Jun 27, 2012, 08:39 PM EDT
And we all know it was instigated by Bush(2006)I was well aware what you meant,the point is your right wing mob gave arms and money to the contras in contravention of American law resulting in the murder of thousands of men women and children,now if that were not a fascist gunrunning act what is.Again I repeat the sending of firearms to Mexico stared in 2006 just ask the agency involved and in an election year where the Fox/GOP party are devoid of commonsense policies any lie will do to grab power.
seanomelb | Jun 26, 2012, 09:56 PM EDT
Seano, thanks for the tip I'm always looking to be less taxed, No arguments to start tonight but I was referring to fast and furious gun running by eric holder sorry if I was vague.
seanomelb | Jun 26, 2012, 07:37 PM EDT
Briano running guns like Ollie North,Bill Gates to the Iranian Mullahs and using the money to arm fascist terrorist in central America.Maybe you should watch Oprah it would be less taxing on your brain(maybe!)
BrianO | Jun 26, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
Seano, how can you be middle of the road and an extremist at the same time? Although it can be confusing, as I was taught extreme right wingers were fascists, but now a days the far leftist are the fascists running guns, executive dictates, capital confiscation, government take over of business and medical system. Oh well I guess its times to protest against the corporate whores or is it time to watch Oprah.
jamthecat | Jun 25, 2012, 11:39 PM EDT
I'm confused. Is this supposed to be shocking or surprising or something, coming from that pack of liars and corporate whores, AKA: Fox News? Well..he comes well-prepared to twist the truth.
seanomelb | Jun 25, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT
harrybyrnes O'Reilly.Hannity and the other middle of the road fascists are not Irish why should we be embarrassed.They are all Americans therefore it's you who should be embarrassed.
EamonnDublin | Jun 25, 2012, 06:29 PM EDT
"HarryByrnes" - Thank you! You obviously had such great admiration for my phraseology that you copied most of it in quotation marks and threw it back at me. That is a tactic of five year olds! Your debating style is in dire need of a drastic overhaul. Surely you can do better? Perhaps not. As for my being a "holy Joe", I am sorry to disappoint you but I am very far removed from that. From where did you get the idea that I am "holy"? Is it supposed to be another insult? As for my being "on my knees" - where on earth do you get it from. In my own personal estimation, I stand approximately ten feet taller than you. On my knees to whom? I am proud to be me. I am the best that I can be. With regard to yourself, in your initial post you said you were embarrassed to be Irish, just because some Irishmen said something with which you did not agree. And that made you embarrassed? Harry, it's YOU who is on your knees. Stand up man - be proud! You are stronger than you think you are! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
harrybyrnes | Jun 25, 2012, 04:37 PM EDT
In response to the "holy joe" "EamonnDublin" "the others I attack" in case you have not noticed, make their living making "obnoxious comments" and its them who "descend to the depths of the sewage system in order to dredge up foul inanities with which to attack others".Stay on your knees Eamonn the veiw from down there suits you.
harrybyrnes | Jun 25, 2012, 03:45 PM EDT
Well said Eamonn, harryb just another tolerant member of the left.
EamonnDublin | Jun 25, 2012, 03:02 PM EDT
In response to "harrybyrnes"' question, below: no, Mr. Byrnes, I am not in the slightest bit embarrassed to be Irish because of the views of the people to whom you refer in your post. I am never, and never would be, embarrassed to be Irish. I do, however, have feelings. Your obnoxious comments make me feel sick that a fellow human being can descend to the depths of the sewage system in order to dredge up foul inanities with which to attack others. What a horrible picture you present of yourself. You don't embarrass me - you simply disgust me. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
EamonnDublin | Jun 25, 2012, 02:22 PM EDT
In response to "harrybyrnes"' question, below: no, Mr. Byrnes, I am not in the slightest bit embarrassed to be Irish because of the views of the people to whom you refer in your post. I am never, and never would be, embarrassed to be Irish. I do, however, have feelings. Your obnoxious comments make me feel sick that a fellow human being can descend to the depths of the sewage system in order to dredge up foul inanities with which to attack others. What a horrible picture you present of yourself. You don't embarrass me - you simply disgust me. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
harrybyrnes | Jun 25, 2012, 01:59 PM EDT
The Catholic church has found its Josef Goebbels,to spread their brand of medieval Theocracy, a vile, narrow minded little man,who along with his Pox News Organizition has been trying to replace Democracy in the USA with a Right Wing Republician form of "medieval Theocracy" they suit each other, and im sure to be LMFAO at the "Arbeit macht frei" type slogans they come up with. Does'nt Bill o' Reilly, Sean Hannitty, Tom Sullivan, Paul Ryan, and Greg Burke make you feel embarrsed to be Irish
hermitTalker | Jun 25, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
brisseann mo thoin; LMA as Gaelige. It seems no matter what the topic the knives and fangs are out for the Church and Pope from so many of you. get a life, get the facts. Use common sense and some charity, justice and ease up.
EamonnDublin | Jun 25, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
The child abuse situation in Ireland is not the sole fault of the Catholic church. We also have to look at our Irish governments, our Garda force, our media, our medical profession, our teachers, our parents in general, our society in general. It is obvious that some of each of the above knew what was going on, but totally failed to raise the issue. That was very possibly because of "fear of the Catholic church" - but that was/is no excuse whatsoever. Was there NOBODY who was big enough to speak out? With regard to the present day, a few years ago I communicated with Barry Andrews, who was then Minister of State for Children in the previous Irish government, telling him that I had been in touch with a United States organisation (The Gavin Group)and that they (The Gavin Group) were very kindly prepared to facilitate any Irish investigation into child abuse by providing the documentation which The Gavin Group uses for its "child abuse audits" of Catholic dioceses in the USA. Because of the vast and unequalled experience of The Gavin Group in the USA in this field, the documentation freely provided would, at the very least, have been of real interest and assistance. Despite the fact that I spoke with his department on the telephone and, at their invitation, wrote directly to then Minister Andrews, I never received even an acknowledgement. Nobody ever got back to me or the Gavin group, despite my several communications. So much for the interest of our government!! Don't blame the church for everything to do with child abuse. We need to look at our society. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
mayoman | Jun 25, 2012, 07:58 AM EDT
Brolaur: Thank you for your comment. Its brilliant!
Collette2 | Jun 25, 2012, 07:23 AM EDT
I can't believe he accepted. What a cunning ploy.
CitizenWhy | Jun 24, 2012, 08:56 PM EDT
I see there's a right winger here calling people vermin, Hitler's favorite term for the people he did not like.
CitizenWhy | Jun 24, 2012, 08:52 PM EDT
There is a power struggle brewing and this points to its nature. Will the Catholic Church become subordinate to the US Republican Party or the Republican Party become subordinate to the Catholic Church?
seagreen | Jun 24, 2012, 07:39 PM EDT
Isn't this something !! Hannity, O Reilly, Sullivan,and Paul Ryan are now the mouthpeices for people that had no use for the above mentioned parents or grandparents ! Now the Vatican is going to endear themselves to other Catholics that have not a clue as to their existence... Are the Right Wingers so afraid of the demographic tidal wave that they created in their greed, that they are now embracing whites that, lets just say never measured up to their standards fifty years ago ?? They have lost their lower class white buffer, and changes have to be made pronto
seanomelb | Jun 24, 2012, 07:08 PM EDT
The Pope is appointing an extreme right wing Catholic to spread the Vatican's right wing PR message.No wonder people are leaving the church in droves. Opus Dei have no intention of reasoning with liberal Catholics,it is anathema to them.
eiriamach | Jun 24, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT
Rumour's afoot that the Vatican has recruited Rick Santorum to head up its Office on Family Life and Censorship of Clergy (FLACC). Opus Dei is planning a Reunion in Rome, with SSPX invited to a picnic in St. Peter's Square.
EamonnDublin | Jun 24, 2012, 06:43 PM EDT
I am wondering why my post has been deleted. There was nothing in it which was not factually 100% correct. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
KatieMurphy | Jun 24, 2012, 06:01 PM EDT
the vatican whose german POPE in 2009 UNexcommunicated Bishop Williamson, a holocaust denier , now pays homage to the news groups whose motto is If you tell lies often enough and outrageous enough, they will be seen as the truth 55 million died for that truth, including 6 million of Jesus own people and the gays of germany, the gypsies etc.. I've asked a lot of people about how the pope could do the kinds of things he has done. Bottom line of the comments - he just doesnt care - he thinks he is the new Arisan Christ. More and more people are learning he is the son of Satan.
KweenOHearts | Jun 24, 2012, 05:59 PM EDT
@KatieMc -- Having seen the list of adjectives with which you describe Republicans, I must confess I'm quite tempted to change my politcal sympathies. Now, if you will do me the favor of listing the qualities you attribute to the opposing party I can assure your eloquence might tip the balance for me. I'm this far from pulling the lever for O'Blamer as well as those credible mouthpieces of his: PMSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, The Comedy Channel (where most libs get their 'news'), NPR, et al. Oh, and must not forget Soros' Media Mutters which gives them all, even the WH their talking points. - Gosh I'm excited! -- @ gloryB1929 -- You still around? I would have sworn you had finally decided to make the journey toward resolving your questions regarding which was truly and unquestionably THE true religion! I know someone is waiting just around the corner of the pearly gates to clear your doubts and hand you the proper reward for your efforts. You and June Annette. But there are quite a few others around here whom you will meet at road's end as well. Are you planning to 'flash mob' the nether world? Be sure to wear your hoodys!
KweenOHearts | Jun 24, 2012, 05:35 PM EDT
It would be disappointing if one did not see the usual vermin, circling around their favorite prey... so what else is new at IC? --- So markday, I'd like to hear at least ONE factual, indictable piece of evidence you might have for your contention that Opus Dei is as you claim: a hopelessly 'corrupt' organization! C'mon don't be shy; show where exactly you got that piece of credible info and how many times has Opus Dei been brought in front of a court to defend itself and lost? But let me anticipate your answer: 'They have not...because they are such evil, underhanded weasels no one has bee able to pin anything on them,' right? -- So, did you get your info at the highly reputable DanBrown U? -- Ya know, the attitude of the secular/progs Irish toward the Church reminds me of the exiled communist Spaniards who hated Catholicism (they killed enough priests, monks, and raped enough nuns to prove it), and never forgave or forgot they got heir asswhoopped during the Civil War. Opus Dei was born during that time, more or less, and as part of the CC the dis-information machine financed by commies, progs and masons has not let up! But as per usual, their efforts are mostly relegated to the realm of hateful blather. They've NEVER gotten their hands on any goods, so they have to be content with the fact that their vitriol mostly sticks to the slow and dense.
rstorch | Jun 24, 2012, 05:33 PM EDT
Yes, if anyone can twist reality it is FOX news
markday | Jun 24, 2012, 05:06 PM EDT
Dream on, Glorybe, dream on. Opus Dei does not push or defend Christianity, but Chistendom, the power and glory of the institutional church. It believes in blind obedience, not critical thinking. It will not uncover anhything. It will cover up everything. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall....
glorybe1929 | Jun 24, 2012, 04:33 PM EDT
You know what I think..?He will, if he is true Christian, find out what's really going on in the Catholic Church and we'll have an advocate for the abused and he 'll find out all about the clerical thieves, sexual sbusers and the liars..That 's my prayer.
peggydf | Jun 24, 2012, 04:22 PM EDT
The majority of readers here have expressed my sentiments exactly. What a farce this is.
KateyMc | Jun 24, 2012, 02:48 PM EDT
Well if that isn't a typical union....FOX "News" & the Catholic Church. If it wasn't so pathetic, it would be funny. Biased, Republican, Elite, Narrow-minded, etc., etc. Does the Church really think this will help them? Sure it will. Help with their cover-ups, lies & silly slant on reality, which FOX is very experienced at.
ramanan50 | Jun 24, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT
For its present state of affairs, Vatican needs a Goebbels. If Opus Dei is there,can Illuminati be far behind?
Brolaur | Jun 24, 2012, 01:28 PM EDT
Well done Benedict! At least now communications from the Vatican will be FAIR and Balanced and now Fox will be INFALLIBLE.
markday | Jun 24, 2012, 01:23 PM EDT
Devoouot? Opus Dei. Does anyone have any idea how corrupt Opus Dei is? I hope the Italian journalists start it all off and have this guy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It just shows you how far to the right the Vatican is--resting on a three legged stool of sex abuse, financial misdeallings and blind obedience Benedict XVI learned as a young man in the Nazi youth movement. How can you spin all this nonsense, plus all the dirt that is coming now. What a mess!
Nicomax | Jun 24, 2012, 12:24 PM EDT
This makes total sense to me since I believe the Vatican and News Corp merged a few years back. Rupert and Benny are scheduled as speakers at the next Opus Dei convention.
rugbyplayer | Jun 24, 2012, 12:22 PM EDT
If anyone doubts where the true intentions of today's Vatican (and US Conference of RC Bishops!) lies, hiring someone to assist in bettering Vatican communications from slanted and bigoted far right Fox News should dispel all doubts! Why not hire Karl Rove for that matter (or maybe he turned the offer down?)? The propaganda legacy of Nazi Josef Goebbels (also a Catholic)is not lost on the yahoos who now dominate the current Vatican Curia. Shame!
seanaci | Jun 24, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT
With the Roman (or as it appears to now be renamed the American Catholic) Church placing an ex-Fox News anchor in charge of propaganda and having Paul Ryan's self-appointment in charge of corporal works of mercy - what could possibly go wrong for the Mother Church.
rgray222 | Jun 24, 2012, 11:18 AM EDT
Why describe Fox as a conservative network but not describe Time as a liberal news magazine. Time is about as slanted as you can get much more than Fox ever thought of being but you seem to want us to think Time plays it down the center, nothing could be further from the truth!
Gearoid4 | Jun 24, 2012, 10:54 AM EDT
It is good to see a TV network news correspondent appointed to a prestigious religious post, who is not illiterate or hostile when it comes to matters of Faith. Greg Burke sounds like the ideal man for the Vatican posting.
Seanmor | Jun 24, 2012, 10:20 AM EDT
As a Fox correspondent, Burke works for a T.V. station that NOT anti-Americabn, anti-Christian, anti-Bible, anti-pope. It is not a crime or a sin to be the son of a woman who attended daily mass and availed herself of her constitutional right to freely practice her religious faith. During my 4 years in the Marine Corpse, men of all denominations were allowed to attend church services every Sunday, except those who were on specisl assignment. I wish Greg Burke every success in his new position.
KSERRAHN | Jun 24, 2012, 08:07 AM EDT
I wonder what kind of spin he'll put on things. It'll be interesting to find out.