German Cardinal Gerhard Müller praised the “proclamation of the Gospel centered on Christ” throughout the first four months of Leo XIV pontificate in a Interview with the Catholic journalist established in Rome Diane Montagna.
“There is a proclamation of the gospel more focused on Christ, greater order and less emphasis on issues of secondary importance for the Church, such as migration, which is mainly the State’s task,” Müller said when asked about the changes he has seen in the Vatican with the Pontificate of León.
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“Certainly, the Church can help through charitable works, but our first mission is to preach the gospel to all and evangelize those who arrive in Europe, not simply give material help, but to give them the truth,” added the cardinal.
Müller expressed his conviction that Leon “wishes to overcome this ideological polarization within the Church,” but added: “It cannot be achieved through concessions. We must tell the truth, and the truth inevitably divides people among those who follow the Word of God and who not.”
Montagna’s interview was posted on Wednesday, September 17 in substock.
Müller’s comments occurred after this week the first in -depth interview of León as Pope was disseminated, Granted to Elise Ann Allen, Senior Crux Correspondnsal.
“I do not see my main role like who must solve the problems of the world,” León said in the interview. “I really don’t see my role like this at all, although I believe that the Church has a voice, a message that must continue to be preached, proclaimed, and proclaimed strongly.”
Müller’s concerns about the “LGBT Jubilee Pilgrimage”
In his interview with Montagna, Müller expressed deep concerns about LGBT jubilar pilgrimage that took place in Rome at the beginning of this month, headed by the American Jesuit priest James Martin. More than 1,000 pilgrims and around 30 priests participated in the Mass concelebrated by Bishop Francesco Savino, vice president of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
Montagna mentioned a viral photograph of a homosexual couple taken by the hand, in which one wore a backpack with the phrase “(explicit) the rules.” The couple crossed the holy door with that message in sight, which accentuated the cardinal’s concerns.
Müller said that this action “desecrated the temple of God,” and added: “The LGBT movement is absolutely contrary to the will of God Creator, who instituted marriage as a sacred sacrament in Christ, and is an absolute scandal that this has happened.”
“They abused the Catholic faith and the grace and the symbol of the holy door – which is Jesus Christ – for propaganda, living in open contradiction with the will of the creator,” said Müller. “They denigrated the Church of God with obscene gestures and with their lifestyle.”
Cardinal cited the Letter from San Pablo to the Romans: “That is why God gave them, in the wishes of their hearts, to impurity, so that they dishonored their own bodies, since they changed the truth of God for lies.”
Müller encouraged Catholics to “consult the doctrine of the Church about marriage and family” and referred to the first chapter of the second part of the pastoral constitution of the Vatican Council II, Joy and hope.
“As a dogmatic theologian I don’t want to be a diplomat,” Müller concluded. “The Catholic Church must proclaim the truth, but also contradict lies. That is, we should not only positively explain faith, but also actively refute the error.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter of the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in various media, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative and The Federalist.