Archbishop Raymond Burke (CNS)

Archbishop Raymond Burke says his recent comments about reception of Communion by pro-abortion Catholic politicians were misused.

Archbishop Burke said in a videotaped March 2 interview with Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry that Canon Law obliges pastors to deny Communion to such politicians.

Terry released the interview at a March 25 press conference in Washington.

“I was never informed that the videotape would be used as part of a campaign of severe criticism of certain fellow bishops,” Archbishop Burke said in a March 26 statement. “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.”

Archbishop Burke is prefect of the Vatican’s highest court, the Apostolic Signatura. Prior to his appointment as prefect last year, he served as archbishop of St. Louis.

Archbishop Burke said he granted the interview with Terry on the understanding that it was to be used only to encourage pro-lifers and that he was not informed it would be shown at a press conference.

At the March 25 press conference, Terry called for the removal of two U.S. bishops who, according to Terry, were not acting appropriately with respect to the reception of Communion issue, CNS reported.

“Sadly, Mr. Terry has used the videotape for another purpose which I find most objectionable,” Archbishop Burke said in his statement. “If I had known what the true purpose of the interview was, I would never have agreed to participate in it.”