Despite problems, review board work deepened faith, says Burke

Published: 2004-11-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Although it meant raising "holy hell" with some "recalcitrant bishops," her work as a member of the National Review Board deepened her faith, said Justice Anne M. Burke. Her 29-month term as a charter member of the lay board that monitors church compliance with sex abuse prevention policies transformed her into an active Catholic, said Burke, who has been interim head of the board since June 2003. "Before, I was a 'passive' Catholic, not really quite involved in church affairs except through charity events," she told Catholic News Service. Burke, an Illinois Appellate Court judge, was interviewed Nov. 14 while she was in Washington to attend her last board meeting. When the sex abuse crisis first broke in early 2002, "it piqued my interest, mostly from the legal standpoint, not necessarily from Catholicism," she said. This changed after her June 2002 appointment to the lay board, which works under the bishops, said Burke. It not only transformed her into an active Catholic but opened the door to all the laity having a more effective voice in church affairs, she said.

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