Francis Dumps U.S. Cardinal Who Is Outspoken Critic Of Abortion, Gay Marriage

[rpannier]

78. Burke has lost the ability to choose the new Bishops and Cardinals for the US

That job is now Wuerle's (D.C.)
By having only one U.S. cardinal that means almost all new appointees will be chosen by him.
Burke's appointees have been Cardinals in San Francisco, Portland and Hartford. All horrible choices.
It's also been said that Burke regularly consulted Cardinal Law, formerly of Boston. Law also loses his input from his cushy spot in the Vatican

The short term ramifications may seem small, but the longer term will likely be felt for years.
Wuerle is much harsher on the child molestation cases. He did work with authorities about the molestations.
With Burke being gone, the investigation of the nuns will likely come to zip.
Burke can sit as prelate, but as far as I can tell from checking various sources the Apostolic Signatura is similar to a weaker version of the Supreme Court. Most Church matters are not decided by them. And the Pope can always overrule and ignore tham