The Church Is Not Like an International Hotel Chain - Cardinal Müller Explains to Francis
He has doubts about the quality of the text of TC, and criticises a quote of St Augustine used in Francis' accompanying letter. The quote uses Saint Augustine's distinction of a membership in the Church “according to the body” or “according to the heart” to put the accent on obedience. However, Müller explains that the quote doesn't speak about authoritarianism but about unity in Faith which "by no means" requires sterile uniformity in the external liturgical form.
Müller tries to make Francis understand that the Church is not like "an international hotel chains with a homogenous design.” Therefore, in the wake of the Council of Trent, Pius V didn't suppress the different rites, but wanted to curb abuses.
Like Francis, Müller insists on "unconditionally" recognising [the failed] Second Vatican Council but notices that its teachings on Redemption, the Church, revelation, marriage, are being denied “by a majority of German bishops" - and not only by them. They also have contradicted Francis and “flatly” promote blessing homosex and natural fornication.
In this context, Müller notices the disproportion between Francis' insignificant response to the massive attacks on the Church's unity by the Germans (etc.) and the harsh crackdown on the Roman Rite minority so that the image of a misguided fire brigade comes to Müller's mind, which – instead of saving the blazing house – first takes care of a small barn next to it.
Francis ignores the religious feelings of the often young participants in the Roman Mass, Müller writes, “Instead of appreciating the smell of the sheep, the shepherd here hits them hard with his crook.”
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