Topic: Raymond Burke

Raymond Leo Burke (born June 30, 1948) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, having previously served as Archbishop of St. Louis (2003-2008) and Bishop of La Crosse (1995-2003).

Raymond Leo Burke was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, the youngest of the six children of Thomas (d. July 21, 1956) and Marie (d. February 29, 1996) Burke. Baptized on the following July 11, he received his first Communion on May 13, 1956. The family later moved to Stratford, where Burke was confirmed by Bishop John P. Treacy on April 5, 1962. From 1962 to 1968 he attended the Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, Wisconsin. From 1968 to 1971 Burke studied at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he is now a member of the Board of Trustees. He then completed his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1971 to 1975. Pope Paul VI ordained Burke to the priesthood on June 29, 1975, at Saint Peter's Basilica.

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