Gerhard Ludwig Müller Quotes

Un capitolo della storia della Chiesa è stato chiuso. Se parliamo del pontificato, ci sono diverse opinioni. È unanime l’apprezzamento per l'impegno di Francesco con i migranti, i poveri e per superare le divisioni tra il centro e la periferia; dall’altra parte, però, in alcuni momenti è stato un po’ ambiguo, ad esempio quando con Eugenio Scalfari ha parlato di resurrezione. Con papa Benedetto abbiamo avuto la chiarezza teologica perfetta, ma ognuno ha i suoi carismi e le sue capacità e penso che papa Francesco li avesse più nella dimensione sociale.

A chapter in the history of the Church has come to a close. When it comes to his pontificate, opinions vary. There is unanimous appreciation for Francis' commitment to migrants, the poor and overcoming divisions between the centre and the periphery; on the other hand, however, he has been somewhat ambiguous at times, for example when he spoke to Eugenio Scalfari about resurrection. With Pope Benedict XVI, we had perfect theological clarity, but everyone has their own charisma and abilities, and I think Pope Francis had more of these in the social sphere.

The Word became Flesh, and we are beings of flesh and blood and soul. We are living in the reality of the material world – also created by God – and therefore we need this corporal visible mediation by the sacraments within the community of the believers.

In the face of growing confusion about the doctrine of the Faith, many bishops, priests, religious and laypeople of the Catholic Church have requested that I make a public testimony about the truth of revelation. It is the shepherds' very own task to guide those entrusted to them on the path of salvation. This can only succeed if they know this way and follow it themselves.

In reality, "Body and Blood of Christ" do not mean the material components of the man Jesus during His lifetime or in His transfigured corporeality. Rather, body and blood here mean the presence of Christ in the sign of the medium of bread and wine, which [presence] is made communicable in the here and now of sense-bound human perception.

To teach contrary to the apostolic faith would automatically deprive the pope of his office. We must all pray and work courageously to spare the Church such an ordeal.