Gerhard Ludwig Müller

Gerhard Ludwig Müller in 2006

Gerhard Ludwig Müller (31 December 1947–) is a German cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Quotes

• 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.
  • From the book Die Messe - Quelle des christlichen Lebens. As quoted in Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

• 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.
  • Manifesto of Faith (February 2019)

• 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.
  • EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Müller says ‘politicians don’t have the right to forbid the holy Mass’ (December 10, 2020)

• 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.
  • Müller, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig (2023-10-27). The Church Is Not a Democracy (in en). First Things.

• 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.

(About the blessing of same-sex couples) [The next pope] must clarify. The document approved under Francis wanted to help these people pastorally, but Catholic doctrine on marriage must not be relativised.

(About China) A compromise must be made with these powerful dictators, but we cannot betray the principles of our faith. We cannot accept that atheist communists, enemies of humanity, write our catechism books or bring images of Xi Jinping into churches. We cannot accept that communists appoint bishops.

• • 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.

(Sulla benedizione delle coppie omosessuali) [Il prossimo papa] deve chiarire. Il documento approvato sotto Francesco voleva aiutare pastoralmente queste persone, ma non si deve relativizzare la dottrina cattolica del matrimonio.

(Sulla Cina) Si deve fare un compromesso con questi potenti dittatori ma non possiamo tradire i principi della nostra fede, non possiamo accettare che i comunisti atei, nemici dell’umanità, scrivano i nostri libri del catechismo o portino nelle chiese l’immagine di Xi Jinping. Non possiamo accettare che i comunisti nominino i vescovi.

• • • As quoted in Papa Francesco, cardinale Müller: su gay, donne e Islam ci sono state ambiguità, Sky TG 24 (April 24, 2025)

• This is not a stupid power game like in the film Conclave. I only hope that the cardinals will not be influenced by reading the headlines. Francis has always been well regarded by the media and so there is a risk that someone will say: We must go on like this. The Pope must be orthodox. The question is not between conservatism and progressivism, but between orthodoxy and heresy. A heretical pope, who changed direction every day depending on what the media said, would be catastrophic.
  • Non si tratta di uno stupido gioco di potere come nel film Conclave. Spero solo che i cardinali non si facciano influenzare dalla lettura dei titoli di stampa. Francesco è sempre stato ben visto dai media e quindi c'è il rischio che qualcuno dica: Dobbiamo andare avanti così. Il Papa deve essere ortodosso. La questione non è fra conservatorismo e progressismo, ma fra ortodossia ed eresia. Un papa eretico, che cambiasse direzione ogni giorno a seconda di quello che dicono i media, sarebbe catastrofico.
    • As quoted in Fabio Marchese Ragona, Nuvole e fake news verso il Conclave. Minaccia di Müller. "Rischio scisma", Il Giornale (April 25, 2025)