Just days before being made a Cardinal, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had taken time to clarify he is not Pope Francis’ conservative opponent.
In the interview, published by German Catholic news agency Kathpress Archbishop Gerhard Muller protests against being called Francis’ opponent.
Admitting he and Francis had different philosophical, and theological formation as priests, Muller says these are a different understanding of the same issues.
They “complement each other, they are not contradictory”, he said.
Muller expressed concern after months of media talk over his seemingly rigid stance on pastoral care for remarried divorced people, an issue which will be discussed at the October Synod.
The German archbishop, whom Pope Francis appointed to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and whom Pope Francis will shortly elevate to the position of Cardinal, says he is not happy about being presented as an internal opponent of Francis’ Pontificate.
Pope Francis and I meet two or three times a month, and he repeatedly expresses confidence in the work of the CDF.
Muller says that contrary to some views there is a spirit of collegiality within the CDF, and although the Pope must give his final approval, decisions in the Congregation are taken collectively.
Sources