Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel at St. Peter’s Basilica on May 7 to begin electing a new pope, a family in Friend, Nebraska, will recall a notable visit to their farm. Cardinal Raymond Burke visited the Kohout family farm on August 9, 2001, to speak at a Catholic Rural Life conference, attended by over 150 people.

At the time of his visit, Burke served as the Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and chaired the Catholic Rural Life Office for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. He was invited by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, then Bishop of Lincoln, to discuss issues that affect farm and ranch families in Nebraska. The gathering was organized by Father David Bourek, then pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Friend.

Sheldon and Judy Kohout, the hosts of the event, look back at the visit with appreciation. “We truly appreciated him recognizing and promoting the small family farm,” Judy said. Sheldon added, “Farming is not simply an occupation but a way of life. To have our Church leaders recognize this and affirm us in that way of life means a lot.”

After his work in La Crosse, Burke became the Archbishop of St. Louis. He was later named prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and served as the Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Burke was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on November 20, 2020.

Bishop Emeritus Fabian Bruskewitz, who has known Cardinal Burke for many years, is familiar with 12 of the papal electors, including Cardinals James Harvey, Blasé Cupich, Joseph Tobin, Christophe Pierre, and others.

Commenting on the election of the new pope, Bruskewitz stated, “I hope he will be a holy and learned man who deeply loves the Church, Her history and Tradition.” He also mentioned key issues the new pope will need to address, such as synodality, morality, doctrine, and faith. Bruskewitz expressed optimism about the Church’s future and highlighted family life as a primary area for development under the next pontiff.