Cardinals Kasper, Müller deny making controversial remarks [updated]

October 16, 2014

Two prominent cardinals have denied making statements that were widely attributed to them about the workings of the Synod of Bishops. But in one case, a journalist has posted a recording of the remarks in question.

Cardinal Walter Kasper told Kath.net that he had never dismissed the contributions of African bishops. The Zenit news service had quoted the German cardinal as saying that Africans were hampered by a "taboo" about discussion of homosexuality, and "they should not tell us too much what we have to do." But Cardinal Kasper denied making that comment, and in fact said that he had not spoken with any reporter from Zenit. The news agency has removed the interview from its web site.

However, reporter Edward Pentin has revealed that he spoke with Cardinal Kasper, and recorded the conversation. Pentin said that he had identified himself to the cardinal as a reporter for the National Catholic Register, but eventually posted the interview with Zenit. Pentin has posted both a transcript and a recording of the interview, confirming that Cardinal Kasper made the provocative remarks.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller also said that he had been misquoted. The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith denied saying that an interim report on the Synod's work was "shameful." Although he has been critical of some aspects of the report, Cardinal Müller said that he does not "speak in that style."

 

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Further information:

• At the Synod: Corrections and New Committee Members (Catholic World Report)
• Kardinal Kasper dementiert Aussage über afrikanische Bischöfe! (Kath.net)
• Statement on Cardinal Kasper Interview (Edward Pentin)
• Cardinal Kasper dismisses African prelates' objections to Synod proposals (CWN, 10/15)
• Cardinal Müller raps 'shameful' bias in interim Synod report (CWN, 10/15)