CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Tribune
By John Chase and Robert Becker, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune staff reporters Bonnie Miller Rubin and Manya Brachear contributed to this report
Published April 6, 2006
At the end of her tenure in 2004 as head of the U.S. Catholic Church's review board on sex abuse, Anne Burke took aim at bishops for trying to take away the panel's autonomy by appointing to it religious members.
She lambasted the "mischievers at work" within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for attempting to squelch two years of "freedom and accountability."
Burke's remarks, supporters say, show an independence that will suit her well in her new job as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court.
"She has shown a lot of growth and courage, especially speaking out recently about the backsliding of bishops across the country and their reneging on their reforms," said David Clohessy, national director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. "I think it's always beneficial when people who truly understand child sexual abuse are in decision-making positions, especially within the judiciary."