Catholic Church: Müller: World Synod is a “non-binding exchange of views”

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller only expects a relatively meaningless final declaration as a result of the world synod in Rome that begins on Wednesday. “The synod’s vote is only of an advisory nature; the entire event is a non-binding exchange of views,” said Müller in an interview with the German Press Agency in Rome.

“Ultimately it is the case that the Pope, among his friends, publishes a final document according to his own wishes. And that is definitely questionable.” It will remain unclear whether Francis is speaking here out of his papal mandate as head of the church or just as a kind of meeting leader summarizing what was said at the synod.

Müller was Bishop of Regensburg from 2002 to 2012 and prefect of the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees the purity of Catholic teaching, from 2012 to 2017. Afterwards, his term of office was no longer extended by Pope Francis, which is why the relationship between the two is considered strained. Nevertheless, the Pope appointed Müller to be a participant in the world synod.

Müller: I’m not part of the circle of friends

“That surprised me a bit,” admitted Müller. “I don’t belong to the Pope’s favorite circle of friends. But completely different motives may have played a role in the leadership of the synod. They perhaps wanted to avoid the impression of one-sidedness.”

365 voting members will take part in the World Synod from October 4th to 29th. The vast majority of them are bishops, plus other clergy and lay people – and, for the first time, women. Among other things, there will be a debate about co-determination and a different way of dealing with things in the church, but also about controversial topics, such as the position of women or the treatment of homosexuals.

Synod of Bishops