Cardinal Müller Criticizes Bishops Pushing Traditional Catholics Toward SSPX
In a candid interview with EWTN, Cardinal Gerhard Müller criticized certain bishops for marginalizing Catholics devoted to the Latin Mass, suggesting this pressure drives them toward the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). He emphasized that this divide is fueled by relativism within the Vatican.
Concerns Over Liturgical Division
Cardinal Müller shared with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo that some bishops told Catholics who reject the newer liturgy form they could either stay home or attend Lefebvrian services. He urged a different approach:
“We must be very open, speak with the people in a good dialogue, in a synodal way, to speak together.”
True Source of Division in the Church
The Cardinal clarified that the Latin Mass itself does not separate the Church's members; instead, the issue lies in the blessing of homosexual couples. He stated this action:
“relativises the sacrament of marriage, which is a revealed truth.”
Theological Relativism and Vatican Practices
Müller expressed apprehension about growing theological relativism within the Vatican, especially regarding interreligious dialogue. He condemned the creation of a Muslim prayer room inside the Vatican, calling it a form of self-relativization:
“The Vatican is the seat of the Catholic Church, and permitting non-Catholic worship there amounts to self-relativisation. This decision seems driven by a desire to appear ‘open’ rather than by theological reflection.”
Summary
Cardinal Müller warns that some bishops' stance on the liturgy and Vatican relativism risks alienating traditional Catholics and deepening divides within the Church.