Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis will be moving to Italy, to head the Vatican's Supreme Court.

But the former Bishop of the La Crosse Diocese has ties much closer to Northcentral Wisconsin.

Burke grew up in the small town of Stratford.

Burke's sister, who still lives in Stratford, says though the family is thrilled for her brother's accomplishments...they're a bit sad too because this appointment means Burke will soon move to Rome.

The archbishop called his sister today to share the news.

"We had a pleasant conversation and he's happy about his appointment, but he's also sad to leave the arch diocese of St. Lous which he's liked very much," said Mary Drexler.

Burke attended St. Joseph's Catholic School as a boy and lived only a block away.

While his visits now are more limited, as Bishop of La Crosse, he made it a priority to visity his alma mater.

"He was known for taking time with the students individually and it really meant a lot to the students," said Debra Johnston, principal of St. Joseph's.

Drexler says the archbishop has been working with the pope for the past two years. He'll officially head the Apostolic Signatura...the highest judicial authority of the Catholic Church.

Burke has made waves in the past. In 2004, Burke said he would deny communion to then democratic nominee John Kerry because of the senator's pro-choice stance.