Cardinal Müller: the RCC is not the Pope’s Church

Pope Francis and Cardinal Müller. Photo: sib-catholic.ru

Catholic Cardinal Gerhard Müller stated that the Roman Catholic Church does not belong to the Pope, and papal infallibility cannot be in contradiction with Sacred Scripture.

Responding to the questions related to a papal document allowing blessings for same-sex couples, Müller reminded that according to the decisions of the Second Vatican Council, "The infallibility with which the divine Redeemer wished to endow his Church in defining a doctrine of faith and morals extends as far as the deposit of divine revelation (divinae Revelationis depositum), which must be purely preserved and faithfully interpreted, requires."

In the view of Cardinal Müller, doctrinal decisions cannot be in contradiction with Sacred Scripture.

He added that believers must render “religious obedience of will and understanding” to their bishops and in particular to the authentic magisterium of the Bishop of Rome. This applies according to the emphasis placed on a particular doctrine, which must, however, “be explicitly or implicitly contained in revelation”.

"According to the divine authority of Christ, the revelation of God Himself is the basis and limit of the Church’s teaching and pastoral ministry," emphasized the cardinal.

He noted that "the Catholic Church is not the Pope’s Church" because " Christ is the head of the Church and from Him all divine grace and truth passes to the members of His body, which is the Church".

He also stated, " Catholics are not the subjects of ecclesiastical superiors, to whom they owe blind caducal obedience as in a totalitarian political system."

"As persons in their conscience and prayer, they go directly to God in Christ and the Holy Spirit. The act of faith is directed directly to God, while the magisterium of the bishops has only the task of faithfully and completely preserving the content of revelation (given in Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition) and presenting it to the Church as revealed by God," said Cardinal Müller.

According to him, in a culture alienated from Christianity, it is important not to interpret ecclesial authority in terms of political power and media manipulation of opinion but in the light of God's revelation in Christ as the light that enlightens every human being and leads to eternal life.

"Even the cardinals of the Roman Church cannot promise absolute obedience to the Pope and sacrifice their conscience and expertise to a questionable agenda," emphasized Cardinal Müller.

As reported, lightning struck the statue of Apostle Peter in the former diocese of Pope Francis.

Read also