Cardinal Müller speaks on Synod, Medjugorje, Lefebvrists, and more
August 03, 2015
The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has said that the October meeting of the Synod of Bishops must avoid “reducing the word of Jesus and the teaching of the Church.”
In an wide-ranging interview with Katholisch.de, Cardinal Gerhard Müller spoke about the challenges facing the Synod, the reported apparitions at Medjugorje, the efforts to reconcile the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), and his own role at the Vatican’s doctrinal agency.
The Synod, in discussions of marriage and family life, will strive to give the faithful a renewed understanding of the meaning of marriage and publicly committing oneself to another person,” the cardinal said. “There needs to be a review of the preparation and guidance processes for marriage.”
Cardinal Müller confirmed that the CDF will meet in the fall to weigh a report on the Medjugorje phenomenon, and make a recommendation to Pope Francis. The Pope will make the final decision on any formal pronouncement about the authenticity of the Marian apparitions that have been reported there, he said. He said that the CDF is studying a thorough report on Medjugorje, prepared by a special committee that was created by Pope Benedict XVI and led by Cardinal Camillo Ruini.
Regarding talks with the SSPX, the cardinal said there are no “major updates,” but the talks continue. He said that Pope Francis has directed the CDF to continue, with “tenacity and patience,” to seek ways to reconcile the traditionalist group with the Holy See.
Finally, Cardinal Müller sought to deflate speculation that when he said the CDF exists to provide theological “structure” for statements by Pope Francis, he was implying some tension between his office and the Pontiff. The cardinal explained that the CDF exists to offer theological advice and support to the Pope. “Personally, loyalty to the Pope lies deep within my heart and has done so throughout my life,” he said.
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Further information:
- Müller: Synod must address family issue without reducing the word of Jesus (Vatican Insider)
- "Keine Abstriche von der kirchlichen Lehre" (Katholisch.de)
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