In an unforeseen move, Pope Francis has demoted American Cardinal Raymond Burke after he spoke out against the pope's attempts to reform the Catholic Church's stance on homosexual people, divorce and contraception. The move, however, was not enough to prevent conservative bishops from removing the gay-friendly language from synod's final statement.

Cardinal Burke, a conservative Catholic leader, has been removed from his high-ranking position to the lesser position as patron of the sovereign military order of Malta, according to the BBC. Buzzfeed first reported the news, speaking directly with Cardinal Burke, who confirmed his demotion.

Cardinal Burke had served as chief of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Catholic Church's highest court. He was elevated to this position by Pope Benedict XVI; however, he clashed with Pope Francis on his recent decisions and statements.

"The pope, more than anyone else as the pastor of the universal church, is bound to serve the truth," Burke told Buzzfeed. "The pope is not free to change the church's teachings with regard to the immorality of homosexual acts or the insolubility of marriage or any other doctrine of the faith."

Initially the former cardinal did not know what position he had been placed in. He said he was disappointed with his transfer but would fulfill his new duties wholeheartedly.

"On the other hand, in the church as priests, we always have to be ready to accept whatever assignment we're given. And so I trust that by accepting this assignment, I trust that God will bless me, and that's what's in the end most important. And even though I would have liked to have continued to work in the Apostolic Signatura, I'll give myself to whatever is the new work that I'm assigned to."

Nonetheless, Cardinal Burke's demotion was not enough to encourage the rest of the bishops to support the pope's intentions. The language on the final report from the extraordinary synod held in the Vatican removed gay-friendly language present in the draft, according to the Guardian.

"Welcoming homosexual persons" was changed to "pastoral attention to people of homosexual orientation" and other language that recognized the "gifts and qualities" of gay people were dropped.

The report said there can be "not even a remote" comparison between same-sex and heterosexual marriage but "men and women of homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and sensitivity."

According to the Vatican's spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, 118 bishops voted against, while 62 voted in favor. He added Pope Francis requested the numbers be released, though the names of bishops were not.

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