Pope Francis is to evict an outspoken conservative American cardinal, who has been harshly critical of the Pope’s plan to reform the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinal Raymond Burke is to have his salary revoked and is to be evicted from his flat in the Vatican.
The Church has claimed that Burke’s punishment is not because of any personal animosity between him and the Pope but because the Church believes that someone should not have the privileges of a Cardinal while criticising the head of the Church.
However, observers have said the eviction is unprecedented. There have also been warnings that the Pope’s actions could deepen the divide between the global Catholic Church and its American arm as the Pope tries to change its positions on issues such as abortion, transgender rights, and same-sex relationships.
Pope Francis had reportedly called the US Catholic Church ‘backwards,’ according to The Guardian.
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