Michael Francis Burbidge

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His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Michael Francis Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington
Bishop Burbidge at St. Raphael the Archangel Church on the Feast of the Archangels in 2010.
Church
DioceseArlington
AppointedOctober 4, 2016
InstalledDecember 6, 2016
PredecessorPaul S. Loverde
Other post(s)Chairman, USCCB Pro-Life Activities Committee (2022–present)
Orders
OrdinationMay 19, 1984
by John Krol
ConsecrationSeptember 5, 2002
by Anthony Bevilacqua
Edward Cullen (co-consecrator)
Robert Maginnis (co-consecrator)
Personal details
Born (1957-06-16) June 16, 1957 (age 66)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Previous post(s)
Education
MottoWalk humbly with your God
Styles of
Michael Francis Burbidge
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Michael Francis Burbidge (born June 16, 1957) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has been the bishop of the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia since 2016. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania from 2002 to 2006 and as bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina from 2006 to 2016. He is the chairman of the Pro-Life Activities Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Biography[edit]

Early life and education[edit]

Michael Burbidge was born on June 16, 1957, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Francis and Shirley (Lilley) Burbidge. He has a brother, Francis Burbidge. Upon being confirmed, Michael Burbidge chose Francis as his confirmation name. As a teenager, he worked at a Sears department store.[1][2]

Burbidge graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1975. Having decided to become a priest, he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a master's degree in theology from St. Charles. He also holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Education from Immaculata University in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania.[3][2]

Ordination and ministry[edit]

Burbidge was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal John Krol for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 19, 1984.[4] After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Burbidge as associate pastor at St. Bernard's Parish in Philadelphia until 1986. He then served as a teacher at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, from 1986 to 1990.[2]

From 1990 to 1991, Burbidge was assigned to the faculty of Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He then became a teacher and dean of students at St. Charles Seminary in 1991. [2]

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua appointed Burbidge as his priest secretary in 1992, a position he held for the next seven years. The Vatican raised Burbidge to the rank of Honorary Prelate in 1998. In 1999, Bevilacqua named Burbidge as rector of St. Charles Seminary.[2]

Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia[edit]

On June 21, 2002, Burbidge was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia and titular bishop of Cluain Iraird by Pope John Paul II.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on September 5, 2002, from Bevilacqua, with Bishops Edward Peter Cullen and Robert P. Maginnis serving as co-consecrators.[4]

As auxiliary bishop, Burbidge worked in the archdiocesan Office Center to assist the archbishop with administrative duties. These included overseeing the office of the vicar for clergy, the Office of Communications, and The Catholic Standard & Times. He also served as a regional bishop.

Bishop of Raleigh[edit]

Coat of Arms as Bishop of Raleigh

Burbidge was named bishop of Raleigh by Pope Benedict XVI on June 8, 2006.[3] [5] Burbidge was installed on August 4, 2006, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. In 2011, Burbidge announced the construction of Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus in Raleigh. Groundbreaking for the new cathedral occurred in 2015.[6][7]

After the tornado outbreak of April 2011, which killed 24 people in North Carolina and nearby states, Burbidge urged Catholics to include victims and survivors in their Holy Week prayers.[8] He directed the parish and mission churches to hold a special collection for the disaster survivors.[9] On November 29, 2016, Burbidge celebrated his last public mass as bishop of Raleigh at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cary, North Carolina.[10]

Sexual abuse in the Diocese of Raleigh[edit]

Main article: Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh § Sexual abuse

In March 2007, a group of protesters, some alleged victims of clerical sexual abuse, stood outside the offices for the Diocese of Raleigh, claiming that Burbidge refused to meet with them. Diocese spokesman Frank Morock denied those claims, stating that the diocese "has always been very open to any victim who has stepped forward."[11]

In 2009, a 16 year-old boy reported to the diocese that he had been sexually abused by Reverend Edgar Sepulveda, a priest at the Santa Teresa del Niño Jesús Mission in Beulaville, North Carolina. Burbidge put Sepulveda on administrative leave, prohibiting him from visiting any parish or Catholic school, and removed him from residence on church grounds. The diocese reported the accusations immediately to police.[12] Sepulveda was arrested in 2010 and charged with second-degree sexual offense and sexual battery. However, prosecutors dropped the charges in 2012, citing a lack of evidence.[13] [14] The victim sued the diocese and Burbidge in 2015.[15] [16]

Bishop of Arlington[edit]

Burbidge was appointed as the fourth bishop of Arlington by Pope Francis on October 4, 2016.[17] Burbidge was installed on December 6, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia. More than 1,200 people attended the mass, including Cardinal Justin Rigali, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop William E. Lori and Archbishop Christophe Pierre.[18]

Burbidge released a statement on October 6, 2016, in which he vowed to continue the diocese's outreach for victims of clerical sexual abuse and to personally reach out to victims.[19] He continued on the outreach program, holding masses for victims of abuse.[20]

On July 26, 2017, Burbidge returned to the Diocese of Raleigh to celebrate Mass with his successor in Raleigh, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, and to give the homily at the dedication of the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus.[21][22]

On August 22, 2017, Reverend William Aitcheson admitted to being a member of the Ku Klux Klan while a college student in the 1970s. Aitcheson announced that he would temporarily step down from his post at St. Leo the Great Catholic Parish in Fairfax, Virginia. Burbidge released a statement referring to Aitcheson's past as "sad and deeply troubling" while hoping that his conversion of heart would inspire others.[23][24]

On August 3, 2018, Burbidge expressed his anger and sadness regarding the allegations of sexual abuse by former Cardinal McCarrick.[25] He stated that bishops must be held accountable for their actions.[26][27] Burbidge was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and was treated through surgery on November 27, 2018.[28] On February 13, 2019, Burbidge and Bishop Barry C. Knestout of Richmond released a list of clergy who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors in the two dioceses between 1974 and 2019.[29]

In January 2022, Burbidge issued regulations for the Diocese of Arlington regarding Pope Francis' motu propio Traditionis custodes. He permitted celebration of the extraordinary form of the mass to continue in 21 parishes, but suspended the celebration of any "new celebrations of the Sacraments" in the extraordinary form. This decision was made after the Vatican's responsa ad dubia was issued the previous month, which constituted a non-authoritative attempt to suppress the celebration of sacraments according to the ancient forms of the Rituale Romanum and the Pontificale Romanum.[30][31][32]

In July 2022, Burbidge restricted the extraordinary form to only eight parishes; in five of those eight, the mass could only be celebrated in a building other than the main church.[33]

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops[edit]

At the November 2017 plenary assembly of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Burbidge was elected as chair of the Communications Committee.[34] He became the chair for the 2018–2021 term.[35][a]

At the November 2022 plenary assembly, Burbidge was elected chair of the Pro-Life Activities Committee. His term as chair was to end in 2024.[37]

Viewpoints[edit]

Abortion[edit]

Burbidge was described in a 2022 Catholic News Agency article as a "seasoned communicator" and a "staunch defender of the right to life", citing his banning of Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, from receiving communion in the Diocese of Arlington for her defense of abortion rights for women.[37][38]

In June 2022, Burbidge called upon U.S. President Joe Biden to publicly repent for his support of abortion rights.[39]

Immigration[edit]

In January 2017, Burbidge spoke out against U.S. President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, which barred refugees and immigrants from several Middle Eastern nations from entering the United States for 90 days, limited the number of refugee arrivals to the United States to 50,000 for 2017, suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days, and barring refugees from the Syrian Civil War from entering the United States indefinitely.[40][41] Burbidge encouraged American Catholics to contact their elected officials and voice their opposition to the new policy and to pray for immigration reform, stating that the Diocese of Arlington and other Catholic communities would continue to welcome refugees.[42][43][44]

In September 2017, Burbidge responded to Trump's decision to rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by calling on Catholics to keep all people protected by DACA, and all government officials, in their prayers. He referred to Trump's decision as "disheartening" and stated that the United States government has a responsibility to protect those who are in the United States under the protection of DACA.[45]

LGBTQ rights[edit]

In 2012, Burbidge voiced his support for North Carolina Amendment 1 and criticized U.S. President Barack Obama's opposition to it.[46] Amendment 1 defined civil marriage as between one man and one woman. Opponents argued that Amendment 1 discriminated against LGBTQ people; Burbidge argued that it was not discriminatory.[47] He received criticism for supporting the legislation.[48] Amendment 1 passed, but was declared unconstitutional in US federal court on October 10, 2014.

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in the Obergefell v. Hodges case, legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. Burbidge in response said; "the true definition of marriage cannot be redefined by courts" and reiterated the Catholic Church's official teachings on marriage. He ended his statement saying that "we are to treat and engage one another in mutual and lasting respect."[49]

On May 6, 2016, Burbidge criticized the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2016. The act requires individuals to only use restrooms that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates and was seen as discriminatory against members of the LGBTQ community. Burbidge proposed that "...another remedy to the unfortunate situation created by the Charlotte Ordinance and HB2 should be considered..."[50] and hoped that any legislative solution would

"...defend human dignity; avoid any form of bigotry; respect religious liberty and the convictions of religious institutions; work for the common good; and be discussed in a peaceful and respectful manner."[51]

On August 12, 2021, Burbidge released a pastoral letter, Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology, in which he explained the church's stance on transgenderism. In the letter, Burbidge criticized the use of preferred gender pronouns when addressing transgender people.[52] He also stated that "no one is transgender" and accused people identifying as transgender of "rejecting truth."[53]

Social justice[edit]

In 2013, Burbidge indicated his support for the Moral Mondays protests in North Carolina. It was a movement started by religious progressives encouraging civil disobedience and arguing for reforms to North Carolina laws regarding the environment, racial justice, gender equality, social programs, and education. Burbidge signed A Joint Statement by Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Methodist Leaders in North Carolina, but did not permit Catholic priests to join the protests.[54][55][56]

Following the Unite the Right rally that took place August 11 and 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia to protest the removal of the Robert E. Lee Monument, Burbidge called the ensuring violence "saddening and disheartening." He condemned violence, racism, bigotry, hatred and "self-proclaimed superiority", denouncing "any form of hatred as a sin."[57][58][59]

Pastoral letters[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Chairmen of USCCB standing committees serve one-year terms as chairmen-elect, followed by three-year terms as chairmen.[36]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Maraist, Zoey (December 2, 2016). "Five facts about Bishop Burbidge". Arlington Catholic Herald. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Biography of Bishop Burbidge". www.arlingtondiocese.org. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "RINUNCE E NOMINE" (in Latin). Holy See. June 8, 2006.
  4. ^ a b "Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Zauzmer, Julie (October 4, 2016). "North Carolina bishop will be the new leader of Northern Virginia Catholics". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  6. ^ WRAL (January 2, 2015). "Catholic diocese breaks ground for new spiritual home". WRAL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  7. ^ WRAL (July 26, 2017). "Catholics celebrate 'joyful, historic day' with Raleigh cathedral opening". WRAL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Kevin J., Jones (April 21, 2011). "N. Carolina bishop calls for prayers and support after deadly tornadoes". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  9. ^ "North Carolina bishop asks prayers for tornado victims, survivors". Catholic News Service. April 20, 2011. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  10. ^ "Bishop Burbidge to celebrate final NC mass in Cary on Tuesday". Newsobserver.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  11. ^ "Raleigh's Diocese Accused of Sex Abuse Cover-Up". WRAL. Capitol Broadcasting Company. March 15, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  12. ^ "NC Appeals Court allows priest sex abuse lawsuit to proceed". WXII News. Hearst Television. July 7, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  13. ^ Biesecker, Michael (July 7, 2015). "NC Appeals Court allows priest sex abuse lawsuit to proceed". The Washington Times. Larry Beasley. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Charges Dismissed against Priest Accused of Sexual Assault, by F. T. Norton, StarNews, July 17, 2012". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "DOE 200 v. DIOCESE OF RALEIGH". Find Law. July 7, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Court allows priest sex abuse lawsuit to proceed". Winston-Salem Journal. Berkshire Hathaway. July 8, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  17. ^ "Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop of Arlington". www.arlingtondiocese.org. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "Bishop Michael F. Burbidge is installed as the fourth Bishop of Arlington". Insidenova.com. December 6, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  19. ^ Neal Augenstein (October 4, 2016). "New bishop of Diocese of Arlington vows to reach out to sex abuse victims". wtop.com. WTOP. Retrieved August 18, 2018. Bishop Michael Burbidge, newly-appointed Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, vows to personally reach out to victims of clergy sexual abuse, and "to accompany them in this process of healing."
  20. ^ "Bishop Burbidge to Preside at Bilingual Mass for Healing, February 26". St. James Catholic Church. February 21, 2018. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  21. ^ "What is under Raleigh's big copper dome? You can see on Wednesday; here's a preview". Newsobserver.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  22. ^ "First mass held at new Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh". Twcnews.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  23. ^ Hedgpeth, Dana; Boorstein, Michelle (August 22, 2017). "'My actions were despicable': Catholic priest steps down after revealing he was a Ku Klux Klan member decades ago". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  24. ^ "Priest asks forgiveness for having been KKK member years ago as young man". Americanmagazine.org. August 23, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  25. ^ Michael Burbidge (August 3, 2018). "Walk Humbly Podcast". Catholic Diocese of Arlingon. Retrieved August 18, 2018. In the August 3, 2018 episode of the Walk Humbly Podcast, Bishop Burbidge expressed his sadness and anger regarding the allegations of sexual abuse by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington.
  26. ^ "Statement By Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, on the Accusations Related to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick". Saint James Catholic Church. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018. We all must be held accountable for our actions—bishops are no exception.
  27. ^ "Roundup: Bishops React to Sexual Abuse Scandal". National Catholic Register. EWTN. August 12, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  28. ^ "22 – New podcast with Bishop Burbidge, January U.S. Bishops' meeting, Advent and more". Bishop Burbidge – On the Air The Walk Humbly Podcast. Catholic Diocese of Arlington. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  29. ^ "Virginia's two dioceses release lists of clergy credibly accused of abuse". Catholic News Herald. Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  30. ^ Rousselle, Christine (January 18, 2022). "'Devastated' Traditional Latin Mass devotees petition Arlington bishop to ease restrictions". Catholic News Agency.
  31. ^ "Traditional Latin Mass: Canonists Question the Legislative Force of Recent Vatican Guidelines". NCR. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  32. ^ "Roche's gamble — and the Vatican law of power". The Pillar. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  33. ^ Mullen, Shannon (July 30, 2022). "Arlington bishop curtails Traditional Latin Masses". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  34. ^ Sadowski, Dennis. "Bishop Burbidge elected chairman-elect of Communications Committee". Catholic Herald. Catholic News Service.
  35. ^ Tetrault, Jacqueline (November 20, 2020). "Bishop Reed to head USCCB communications committee". The Pilot. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  36. ^ "Leadership". U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  37. ^ a b Mullen, Shannon; Yoder, Katie (November 16, 2022). "Bishops elect Burbidge pro-life chair; other votes signal no dramatic policy shifts". Catholic News Agency.
  38. ^ "Nancy Pelosi's Communion ban will apply in Diocese of Arlington, bishop says". Catholic News Agency. May 25, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  39. ^ "Bishop of Arlington Calls President Biden to Repent". Catholic Vote. June 8, 2022.
  40. ^ San Martin, Inés (January 30, 2017). "Catholic bishops describe Trump refugee order as 'shameful' and a 'dark moment'". Crux. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  41. ^ Maraist, Zoey (February 1, 2017). "Protesters gather at airport over refugee ban, greet arriving travelers". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  42. ^ "Arlington Bishop Voices Solidarity With Refugees – AlexandriaNews". Alexandrianews.org. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  43. ^ "US bishops: Trump's refugee order will only harm victims of war, terror". Catholic News Service. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. January 30, 2017. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  44. ^ "US Bishops, Others Oppose Trump Executive Order Addressing Refugee Admissions". National Catholic Register. January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  45. ^ Teale, Chris (September 5, 2017). "Trump's Decision to End DACA Program Criticized By Local Leaders". Arlnow.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  46. ^ Steelman, Ben (April 20, 2012). "Faith leaders on both sides of Amendment One". Star-News. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  47. ^ "N.C. bishops criticize Obama stand against marriage amendment". Catholic News Agency. March 23, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  48. ^ "BISHOPS: OBAMA COMMENT ON NC AMENDMENT REGRETTABLE". WPVI-TV Philadelphia. ABC News. April 18, 2012.
  49. ^ "Bishop Burbidge responds to the Supreme Court's decision regarding civil marriage". Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. June 26, 2016. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  50. ^ "Catholic Bishop Burbidge asks people to discuss HB2 in a peaceful, respectful manner". wncn.com. Columbia Broadcasting System. May 6, 2016. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  51. ^ Stradling, Richard (May 6, 2016). "Catholic bishop of Raleigh diocese: Replace HB2". The News & Observer. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  52. ^ Jones, Kevin J. (August 19, 2021). "Christian response to transgender conflicts needs charity and clarity, Arlington diocese says". Catholic News Agency.
  53. ^ "Arlington Bishop Pens Letter Saying 'No One' Is Transgender". WRC-TV. Washington, D.C. August 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  54. ^ "Diocesan Response to Letter in N&O – Diocese of Raleigh". dioceseofraleigh.org. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  55. ^ "A Joint Statement by Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United Methodist Leaders in North Carolina" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  56. ^ "Faith Leaders Voice Support for Moral Mondays". Ncchurches.org. June 11, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  57. ^ Guido, Rhina (August 14, 2017). "Bishops ask for peace after white nationalist rally turns deadly". NCR online. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  58. ^ "Catholic bishops condemn white supremacist rally that left one dead in Charlottesville". Americanmagazine.com. August 12, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  59. ^ Burbidge, Michael (August 14, 2017). "Statement from Bishop Burbidge on the Violence in Charlottesville". Arlingtondiocese.org. Retrieved October 1, 2017.

External links[edit]

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Arlington
2016–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Bishop of Raleigh
2006–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
–
 Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
2002–2006 		Succeeded by
–
USCCB titles
Preceded by Chairman, Pro-Life Activities Committee
2022–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Chairman, Communications Committee
2018–2021 		Succeeded by
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