All photos in the strip from Mittelbayerische's video of the interview, except for the one on the extreme right.
I reserved this space yesterday after I finally found a link to the full text of an interview Mons. Mueller gave to Mittelbayerische Zeitung last July 6 (the newspaper now has a pay wall so I couldn't see the full interview although it was written about quite a bit. Though quite belated, I did it want it here for the record as another aid to getting to know the new CDF Prefect. This is the interview in which he confirms that he will be residing in then-Cardinal Ratzinger's apartment right next to the Vatican's Leonine wall.
Mons. Mueller at the CDF:
The Pope even gave him
his own apartment
Interview by CHRISTINE SCHOPF
Translated from
July 6, 2012
Mons. Mueller in Regensburg: From left, at the Pope's residence in Pentling; in front of Regensburg's St. Peter's Cathedral; and at the interview with Mittelbayerische.
A relaxed Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller returned to Regensburg just a few days since he was named Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with a series of interviews with the media on his agenda regarding liberation theology, the FSSPX, and remarried divorcees. Minefields for a churchman who now finds himself in the front ranks of the Roman Curia.
First of all, congratulations on the new job. Since when did you know about it?
I knew it for certain on May 16 when the Holy Father asked me to see him.
Did your position on liberation theology endanger your appointment?
I would not know. But if one knows Catholic doctrine, then one also knows that social duty, universal responsibility and love for the poor are part of it. Liberation theology is a big term – but every Christian theology has something to do with men’s freedom. Even in South America, theological questions are seen in this context. In the face of misery and degradation, of the kind that a lot of people among us [Europeans] cannot imagine, in the face of crying injustice, we cannot simply give it all a pious glance. Faith and doing good go together. They are two sides of a coin.
Are you and the Pope on the same page in this?
Perfectly so. As my predecessor at the CDF, he never questioned all of liberation theology, but some aspects of it which I will underscore. Liberation theology is not a loose mixture of communism and Catholic belief. Theology, if it is to be Catholic, must find its answers from within Catholicism itself. The social doctrine of the Church has proven to be far superior to Marxist analysis. We do not want a society that is divided between rich and poor, where one has access to education and the other does not. Workgivers and workers should not confront each other as interest groups, since they all have the same duty towards the common good. We must also be critical of the rampant commercialization of all aspects of life. Industry is there for men, not the other way around.
Because of such words, you have been branded a liberal. Were you surprised by that?
Well, St. Thomas Aquinas said that “Deus maxime liberalis est” –God is the greatest liberal. In the original sense, ‘liberalis’ meant freely-giving and generous, In that sense, I am most happy to be liberal.
You have always been very critical of the Lefebvrians. Now as CDF Prefect, you are responsible for trying to bring them back to the flock. How difficult will that be?
The Vatican has been dealing with the FSSPX in a friendly, Christian and considerate way, while also being clear in its formulation. Whoever wants to be considered Catholic must acknowledge the authority of the Pope and the bishops. No one should think that he can impose his own ideas on the Catholic Church. The discussions in Rome were not negotiations between two parties. No society can set conditions for the Church.
These discussions have gone on since January 2009, [Actually, the doctrinal discussions began in October 2009) How much longer will they take?
There has to be a ‘point of no return’
[he uses the English term] at which they have to decide. Do they want unity with the Church? That means accepting the form and content of the Second Vatican Council, along with the preceding and succeeding clarifications and decisions of the Magisterium. There is no way around that.
[I really hope some Vaticanista can research the ‘formulas’ required by the CDF under Cardinal Ratzinger of the other FSSPX offshoots who decided early on to re-enter into communion with Rome even if they have remaining reservations about Vatican II. Again, one must ask, why is it OK for ‘inhouse’ Catholic dissidents to preach and practice the killing of unborn life, to support women priests and unnatural unions, but not OK for the FSSPX to have reservations about the Vatican-II concepts of religious freedom (not because they are against religious freedom but because they take the most literal interpretation of the Church’s mission to evangelize everyone) and the related matters of ecumenism and inter-religious dialog? Their reservations may be silly, but they don’t kill anyone nor are likely to lead to killing anyone!!
I understand that especially on the 50th anniversary of the Council Opening and the upcoming Year of Faith, the Vatican must make clear to the world that acceptance of Vatican-II - as renewal in continuity with Tradition - is paramount, but compared to the 'deal' given to the Institut Bon Pasteur, for example, isn't the specific inclusion of Vatican-II in the Magisterium that one professes to follow in the Profession of Faith that returning Catholics are expected to sign - this is the Doctrinal preamble everyone talks about - a blatant 'class legislation' against the FSSPX? I can't wait to find out how Fellay proposed to square the circle here!]
The FSSPX has been most critical of Vatican II, as well as its authorization of the use of vernacular languages instead of Latin for the Mass. Is there any room for give and take on this? [The question is totally wrong! The question of the Mass has been settled since July 7, 2007. But the FSSPX are also to blame for public confusion, because although they came into the ‘doctrinal discussions’ stating they wished to dispute the concepts of ‘religious freedom, ecumenism, inter-religious dialog and collegiality’, their subsequent statements have often tended to condemn all of Vatican II, ignoring that their own founder signed all the Vatican II documents, and only became ‘schismatic’ after the liturgical reform was implemented.]
What can be allowed is what already exists within the diversity of Catholic living. The liturgical reform after Vatican II was right and necessary. One cannot polemicize about it even if there have been abuses.
[Joseph Ratzinger had other ideas about the reform that was carried out – even if he agreed some reform in liturgy was necessary, he did not think it would take the ‘Protestantizing’ form that it did, so in that sense it was not ‘right’, but as an obedient Catholic and intelligent priest, he has been able to make the most of the Novus Ordo, and show that it can (and should) be celebrated with all the sense of sacredness and mystery as the traditional Mass.]
The Lefebvrians have called you heretical, one who has strayed from the faith…
I don’t have to answer every stupidity.
In Germany there has been much discussion about communion for remarried divorcees. What do you say to this?
The same as the Pope. The teaching about this is clear. For Christians, every validly contracted matrimony is indissoluble and is a lifelong vow. We should also look at the harm done to children by broken marriages. They are deeply affected when suddenly their parents break up and suddenly there is a strange man or woman in the home. But more than that, we must also look into the mentality which takes the vows of marriage and family ties too loosely.
[It's very maddening, but not one of the reports about this question ever mentions exactly how many couples are faced with the problem. How many couples are affected in Germany, for example? I know the divorce rate is high among Western Catholics, but it would be nice to know exactly how many remarried Catholic divorcees really care about whether they can receive communion or not. They knew when they decided to divorce that they would be denied the Eucharist unless their first marriage was validly annulled by the Church (and I imagine relatively few meet that requirement). So why do they now expect the Church to bend the rules for them? As the Pope said, they can always have the comfort of ‘spiritual communion’.]
We also see the difficulties of such persons in a variety of situations, in which their parish priest must judge case by case how best to proceed. In any case, it is not right for them to think that “If I cannot go to communion, then I am excluded from the Church”. Communion does not constitute the entire Catholic faith. The central part of the Mass is the Consecration and the sacred mystery of Christ. It is our duty to take part in the offering of the Sacrifice of the Mass but not always to receive communion, although frequent Communion is desirable.
You will add to the German contingent in the Vatican. What does this mean for the ‘national mix’ there?
In the CDF, there are at least 15 nations represented, working together. We are a universal Church, so we have a variety of peoples speaking a variety of languages. But languages do not separate us from the Pentecost event which leads us forward in the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, I am thankful that God has willed that I was born and raised in the German language and culture, and that’s not out of naïve patriotism nor as a sort of competitiveness as to who is better.
Regensburg will need a new bishop, as will Passau. What can you say publicly about this or what have you heard behind the scenes?
The appointment of bishops is an important matter. But it is not about any power struggles behind the scenes as it is often depicted. One must be discreet when it comes to persons, and that has nothing to do with being secretive.
What should be the qualities of the Bishop of Regensburg?
One must be qualified to be a bishop, or found to be qualified. One can never make the ideal nomination because men are always a mixture of idealism and objective reality. But obviously, the nominee must stand clear and firm in the Catholic faith and be able to preach his faith. He must have leadership competence or the ability to acquire it. As a person, he must also be able to ‘plug in’ to people without necessary catching cold from every breeze that blows.
Being a bishop also means positive confrontation. There’s an understandable human wish to be seen by everyone as a favorite uncle but it]s not the best prerequisite for a good nomination.
Do you think there will be a long transition until the next bishop of Regensburg is named?
I hope that a decision will be made this year. August and September are still within the annual holiday period but afterwards, the process will move fully.
Are there suitable candidates?There’s never a lack of them. But the new bishop must think of Katholikentag 2014 which will be held in Regensburg.
There is speculation about Bishop Gregor Miara Hanke of Eichstatt, Augsburg Auxiliary Bishop Anton Losinger, the dircctor of the Institut Papst Benedikt Rudolf Voderholzer, or the rector of the shrine of Maria Vesperbild, Wilhelm Inkampf. Who seems to be the favorite?
I would much rather not name names. I am not the one who will name the new bishop.That process goes through the Apostolic Nuncio in Germany. Of course, I will be consulted. It is important that continuity be preserved. There are objective guidelines that began under my predecessor Bishop Manfred Mueller – with specific programs for the schools, the Domspatzen, the many charitable associations, or our efforts for the handicapped. We cannot turn back on these initiatives.
Finally, a private question. How did it come about that the Pope offered you his former residence when he was a cardinal?
I think everyone was surprised. But the Pope said he was entrusting the place to me along with the books and many other things still in it, which he wants the Institut Papst Benedikt in Regensburg to have.
.
Will he be visiting you in his former residence?
I certainly will ask him to.
You gave been an archbishop for a new weeks now. When will you be a cardinal?
Only the Holy Father knows that.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 19/07/2012 03:50]