Cardinal Raymond Burke urges martyrdom to defend marriage and family

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke delivered a homily at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the Feast of St. James the Greater. He called on Catholics to renew their defence of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and the family, even if it requires “red martyrdom of blood” or “white martyrdom of faithful witness” in the face of indifference, ridicule and persecution.

Burke’s remarks came as the Catholic Church marks the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia and ahead of a Vatican meeting scheduled for 7‑14 October, convened by the Pope to discuss the document. He was joined in a similar appeal by Cardinal Joseph Zen, who also urged that protecting the family become a primary pastoral mission.