Archbishop Burke regrets Randall Terry’s ‘misuse’ of interview

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2009 / 15:54 pm

This Thursday, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican, issued a statement expressing his regret for the way that Randall Terry misused an interview with him for a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.

“Recently,” the statement reads, “Mr. Randall Terry and some of his associates visited me in Rome and asked to videotape an interview with me to share with pro-life workers for the purpose of their encouragement. The interview was conducted on March 2, 2009.”

“Sadly, Mr. Terry has used the videotape for another purpose which I find most objectionable,” Archbishop Burke says.

“First, Mr. Terry issued a media advisory which gave the impression that I would be physically present at the press conference during which he played the videotape, when, in fact, I was in Rome.”

“Second, I was never informed that the videotape would become part of a press conference.”

“Third, I gave the interview as a Bishop from the United States to encourage those engaged in the respect life apostolate, not as the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.”

“Fourth, I was never informed that the videotape would be used as part of a campaign of severe criticism of certain fellow bishops regarding the application of Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law.”

“If I had known what the true purpose of the interview was, I would never have agreed to participate in it.”

“I am deeply sorry for the confusion and hurt which the wrong use of the videotape has caused to anyone, particularly, to my brother bishops,” the statement concludes.