Former head of National Review Board receives U.S. Catholic Award

Published: 2005-10-20

CHICAGO (CNS) -- Praised for not mincing words about the "foot-dragging and out-and-out obstruction" of some U.S. bishops in the clergy sex abuse scandal, Justice Anne M. Burke received the 2005 U.S. Catholic Award Oct. 3 for furthering the cause of women in the church. Heidi Schlumpf, managing editor of U.S. Catholic magazine, said Burke's actions as head of the bishops' National Review Board "took courage, since this was the first time that this group of men, in their role as bishops, ever had to report to and answer to a laywoman." Burke, who serves on the Illinois Appellate Court, was named interim chairwoman of the board in 2003 and finished her term last November. "In the midst of a very difficult time in our church, Judge Burke gave her honest and candid opinion to the U.S. bishops," said Claretian Father John Molyneux, editor of U.S. Catholic.

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