Evening star., 1936-10-31
MSGR. !. J. BURKE
DIES HERE AT 81
Clerical and Lay Circles
Mourn Secretary of Wei
fare Conference.

Clerical and lay circles here and in
many sections of the country today
mourned the death of Right Rev. Msgr
John j. Burke, C. S. p, general secre-
tary of the National Catholic Welfare
Conference and the first member OF
a religious community in the United
States to be named a domestic prelate
by the Vatican.
In New York President Roosevelt
mourned the loss of IAN old and close
friend" saying: "A powerful spiritual
force has been lost to our national life
in the passing of Msgr. Burke. As
scholar, writer and pulpit orator he
touched life at many angles while,
always as q humble follower of the
Master. he was splendid disciple of
that Christian teaching of which he
was such an eloquent advocate"
Msgr. Burke, 81, died late yesterday
at his home, 2405 Twentieth street.
He had been suffering from a heart
ailment for some time but his death
was unexpected. He worked as usual
in the morning at his Office at the
council, 1912 Massachusetts, avenue.
He went to his home early in the after
noon, but had not complained Of feel
ing Ill.
Honored by Pope Plus.
The title of monsignor, a rare honor
for member of religious order, was
conferred on Father Burke last month
by Pope Plus XI. Msgr. Burke was
member of the Paulist Fathers. He
was invested with his new rank by
Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicog-
mani at a ceremony in the Shrine OF
the Immaculate Conception, Catholic
University.
During the recent visit Of Eugenio
Cardinal Pacelli, Papal secretary Of
state, Msgr. Burke was the almost con-
slant companion of the Vatican digni-
tary and arranged the Cardinals ad-
dress at the National Press Club, his
only appearance in this country be-
fore a strictly lay audience.
Msgr. Burke for years had been en-
deavoring to patch the rift between
his church and the Mexican govern
ment. In 1928 he crossed the Rio
Grande twice and arranged q tempo
rary settlement with the then Presi-
dent Gales which permitted the re-
turn Of the exiled Bishop Leopold
Ruiz Flores. To Father Burke's
distress. this agreement later was rem
dered imperative by political up
heavals.
For his work as chairman of an
advisory committee to the Secretary
Of War on religious and moral ques-
tions in connection with World War
soldiers, Msgr. Burke was awarded the
Distinguished Service Medal He was
president Of the first National Cath
olic War Council and founder of the
Chaplains' Aid Society.
Born in New York.
Msgr. Burke was born In New York
City June 6, 1875, and was educated
there at st. Francis Xavier College,
from which he graduated in 1895 to
enter the Paulist order. He was or
dained q priest three years later. In
tllS S6llC yC<1k, klC tOOA y uCBICS VI
Bachelor Of Sacred Theology at Cath
onc University. and two years later
was awarded q more advanced degree
by the same institution.
A period Of missionary work fol-
lowed. In 1908, Father Burke became
assistant editor Of the Catholic World,
the publication Of his order, and In
the next year, editor. q positions he
held Is years. He was one Of the
founders Of the Catholic Press Asso-
citation Of the United States.
Father Burke was appointed to his
present position In 1919. Meanwhile
having received ether tributes to his
scholarliness from Fordham and
Notre Dame Universities.
In october, 1927, Father Burke's
work as general secretary Of the well
fare conference was honored BY Z