The staff of Roman Catholic Cardinal Raymond Burke confirmed on August 14 that the prelate is on a respirator being treated for a COVID-19 infection.

Burke, a traditionalist Catholic and a longtime thorn in the side of Pope Francis, had previously spoken out against COVID vaccines.

In a follow-up on the cardinal's condition, his religious foundation, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, noted that Burke is surrounded by religious relics – thought by traditionalist Catholics to have healing powers – and cautioned supporters to stop sending advice on the cardinal's treatment.

"As of August 17th, His Eminence remains in serious but stable condition," the Shrine staff said.

"His family, who with a team of doctors, is responsible for all medical decisions while the Cardinal remains sedated and on a medical ventilator, has great confidence in the care he is receiving. The Cardinal has received the Sacraments from priests nearby to him. There are several relics in his room.

"While the Cardinal's family appreciates the good intentions of those who have suggested treatments, consultations, etc., they ask that people refrain from sending anything further. They also ask that you not contact them, members of the Shrine staff, or the Cardinal's residence in Rome to discuss his condition."

Burke has dissented from Pope Francis on many theological questions – at one point suggesting that the Pope had committed no less than six doctrinal errors – and also opposes the Pope's advice that Catholics should be vaccinated against COVID.

Speaking at the Rome Life Forum, Burke said that "vaccination itself cannot be imposed, in a totalitarian manner, on citizens."

He also quoted groups that suggested that COVID-19 vaccines inject "a kind of microchip" that allow citizens to "be controlled by the state regarding health and about other matters which we can only imagine."

In a 2020, homily, the cardinal also referred to COVID as the "Wuhan virus," an anti-Chinese buzzword often used by Burke's political ally, Donald Trump.

Burke is no stranger to political controversy. He once declared, for example, that Joe Biden isn't a real Catholic and should be denied Holy Communion because of Biden's support for LGBTQ rights and reproductive choice.

Burke also stated that "those suffering from the homosexual condition" should have no right to "form families." Ireland, he added, is now "worse than the pagans" for voting to legalize same-sex marriage.

Once a major figure in the Vatican bureaucracy, Burke has been sidelined by Pope Francis and now devotes most of his time to promoting his religious foundation and the traditionalist Latin Mass.