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Article Date July 2, 2017 

“Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Mueller is ousted. His Holiness Pope Francis relieved Mueller from his duties after just 5 years of service as prefect. 

Background

When Pope John Paul II died, the conclave elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger served as “Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” from November 1981 – April 2005, till elected as Pope Benedict. Leaving his post open as “Prefect of the “Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” Pope Benedict filled the open position at the “Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” with Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Mueller.

Brief History

On February 11, 2013, it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI would resign as Pope on February 28. The 85-year-old Pontiff said his strength was 'no longer adequate to continue in office due to his advanced age. Now, Emeritus Pope Benedict, Pope Francis was elected as the next Pontiff.

“Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Mueller has long been considered a hard-liner. Mueller has also clearly made his strong negative views known against the Medjugorje apparitions.

Examples of Mueller’s Views Against Medjugorje

Medjugorje seer Ivan for many years visited parishes around the world by invitation from the parish priests. On October 21, 2013, the “Congregation of Doctrine of Faith released a notice to all Bishops in the United States. The Congregation writes there are ongoing investigations of certain doctrinal and disciplinary actions of the alleged apparitions in Medjugorje. Muller makes his feelings quite know by referring to Ivan as a “So called visionary.” With his letter to U.S. Bishops, Ivan was banned from speaking in parishes about the Medjugorje apparitions and his visitations with the Blessed Mother.

On September 9, 2015, Muller prohibited Medjugorje priest Fr. Marinko Sakota and the six Medjugorje visionaries from delivering testimonies or spreading the "messages" given by Our Lady, inside the parish of Medjugorje. 

In May 2017, while on a plane back to Rome from a visit to Fatima, Portugal, the media asked Pope Francis some question about Medjugorje. Pope Francis praised Cardinal Ruini's Medjugorje Commission report (2010 - 2014) stating it to be "very very good." Francis said internal Vatican politics intervened: Cardinal Gerhard Mueller of the Vatican's doctrine office raised doubts about Ruini report and Mueller was now seeking input from his own cardinal and bishop advisers.

Pope Francis said he only learned about Mueller's intervention after the fact. Francis commented, "And it didn't seem right. It was like; excuse the phrase, putting Ruini's report up for auction when it was very well done." Pope Francis intervened the following day insisting that any further reflections be sent directly to him, not Mueller.

Pope Francis actions against Mueller are a very powerful move that should not be taken lightly. The usual format of information passes from the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith to the elected Pope. Now in regard to Medjugorje, information would not longer first pass to the Congregation of Faith but would be redirected around the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith and given directly to the Pope. This bold and powerful move strongly indicates Pope Francis feels Mueller is acting in bad faith. The actions of Francis could also even indicate Mueller’s motive and intent is malicious malice.

The Rivalry?

There is no known rivalry between Pope Francis and Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Mueller. However, Pope Francis was caught by surprised when media informed Francis that Mueller spoke out against Cardinal Ruini Medjugorje Commission Report. What we have here is Pope Francis saying the Commission Report is “very very good,” and “Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Mueller saying otherwise.

The Division

Mueller has a negative image of Medjugorje as does the current Bishop of Mostar, Bishop Peric. Clearly there are members in the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” who also have a negative view of the apparitions, because Mueller seeks their advice. From documented evidence we also know, The Holy Father shows some favor toward the earlier Medjugorje apparitions. It is also documented that a number of members of the Medjugorje Commission also show some favor toward the early Medjugorje phenomena.

The Holy Father has enough belief that he felt it important to send an envoy to Medjugorje to look after the needs of millions of Catholic pilgrims who go to Medjugorje every year. The envoy Polish Bishop Henryk Hoser seems to have another personal opinion of Medjugorje all together that is of a far more positive nature which Bishop Hoser shared in a media conference in Medjugorje on April 5, 2017.

We know wherever one person stands for; there is another who stands opposed. We all must realize here that opinions are human in nature, having no foothold in the divine.

The Break Down

Jesus tells us, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand. And if Satan is divided and rises against himself, he cannot stand; his end has come. Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.”

As humans, we have the right to believe as we will. However, when one forces their agenda upon another, demanding they think of like mind, the line is crossed and division is created. Division is no creation of God. Mueller is entitled to his opinion as a human but crossed the lines of division with his actions. As such, the dismissal of “Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine of Faith,” Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Mueller is most certainly justified.

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