U.S. archbishops see pastoral meaning in bestowal of pallium

Published: 2004-06-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis, receiving the pallium from Pope John Paul II on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29 had a special meaning. On June 29, 1975, in the same St. Peter's Square, the archbishop was one of 350 men from 49 countries ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI. At the time, he was a 26-year-old who had just completed theological studies at Rome's Gregorian University. Today, Archbishop Burke heads one of the most important archdioceses in the United States, and has recently stepped into the national spotlight because of his announced policy of denying Communion to Catholic politicians who oppose church teaching on abortion. He was one of 44 prelates -- including three others from the United States and one from Canada -- to receive the pallium, a circular band of white wool that symbolizes the archbishop's authority and unity with the pope.

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