De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Cardinal Burke explains his appointment to Edward Pentin: Cardinal Raymond Burke has said his appointment last week as a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Church’s highest judicial authority, is not a full-time position but will allow him to serve as one of the court's judges when requested. “Some of the faithful have misunderstood the appointment, thinking that I am now returning to serve full-time in the offices of the Apostolic Signatura,” Cardinal Burke said in an Oct. 2 statement responding to enquiries from journalists. “Members of the Roman dicasteries, apart from the prefect, do not serve full-time but offer their assistance, when it is requested by the prefect.” The cardinal added: “The members of the Apostolic Signatura serve as judges — when they are called to do so — of the various cases which are brought to the Apostolic Signatura for resolution. Also, from time to time, the Apostolic Signatura holds a plenary session of its members...

In the strangest of moves, Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Raymond Burke as an advisor to the Vatican's top court, the Apostolic Signatura . Three years ago he was its' prefect. This time, he will serve not as prefect, but as advisor. It's a long while since I read The Prince, but I can still recognise a Machiavellian move when I see one! Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But how will it play out in practice? Especially in the working group itself? Naturally this will see Cardinal Burke in Rome more but did the Pope not think of that when he dismissed Cardinal Burke? It seems the most bizarre move. But, after Cardinal Parolin’s call for dialogue , could be seen as peace offering to critics of pontificate? That had me scratching my head as all critics have been asking for is dialogue, it seems to me that it is the pope who has been ignoring such calls? Some of the most voluble Vatican pundits on Twiiter, both left & right, still silent 2 hour...