The Dispatch reports on the fund-raiser for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital:

Archbishop Raymond Burke made it to the Fox Theatre Saturday — but only as a
punch line.

When Bob Costas, the evening’s host, walked onto the stage he scanned the
crowd, gazing into the back rows of the upper balcony before breaking the
prolonged silence.

"All right," Costas quipped. "I guess the archbishop is not showing up."

Last week, Burke resigned from the board of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s
Medical Center Foundation because Crow — a vocal supporter of embryonic stem
cell research — was scheduled to headline the annual fundraiser and concert.

"Sheryl Crow made it clear that she is coming here for three reasons," Costas
told the crowd. The singer wanted to help children, put on a good show and,
Costas said, "get me ex-communicated."

Later, comedian Billy Crystal, making another appearance at the annual event,
joined the act.

"I respect his right to choose," Crystal said of Burke. "His right to choose
not to be here."

After a round of applause, Crystal added: "After all, charity begins at home —
because that’s where he is."