His teaching on the Faith is more important than gossip and speculation and accusation.
Manifesto of Faith
In a four-page public testimony (see below) released in multiple languages Feb. 8, and whose title is taken from the Gospel of John “Let not your heart be troubled!”, the prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reasserts many key teachings of the faith, reminding clergy and laity it is up to “shepherds” to “guide those entrusted to them on the path of salvation.”
“Today, many Christians are no longer even aware of the basic teachings of the Faith,” the German cardinal laments, “so there is a growing danger of missing the path to eternal life.”
Written in response to requests from “many bishops, priests, religious and lay people,” the cardinal’s testimony comes as the Church awaits the Feb. 21-24 Vatican summit on clergy sexual abuse, and following statements and documents from the Pope down that many practicing faithful have, at times, found confusing, disorienting and inconsistent with the Church’s teaching.
Cardinal Müller recalls that the “very purpose” of the Church is to lead humanity to Jesus Christ and underlines the importance of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a “safe standard for the doctrine of the faith” that was written to counter a “dictatorship of relativism.”
He then proceeds to quote copiously from the Catechism, interspersing passages with uncompromising commentary on what he sees as a crisis of confusion and disorientation in the Church.
The German cardinal urges the faithful to “resist” with “clear resolve” a “relapse into ancient heresies,” which view Jesus Christ as “only a good person, brother and friend, prophet and moralist.”
He stresses that the Church, founded by Christ as a “visible sign and tool of salvation,” does not “reflect herself but the light of Christ which shines on her face.” - Read more here.
The Cardinal speaks with wonderful clarity, the truth of our Faith. It is a sorely needed document by a good prelate. He removes any doubt some may have regarding Catholic teaching, without hurling accusations or condemnations against any particular person. His 'Manifesto' doesn't ask questions, rather it answers any question one might have regarding the faith and morals.
Let's pray for an ever deepening love of the truth and the constant guidance and consolation of the Holy Spirit, to remain faithful during the troubles which are coming.
“He will deceive those who are lost by all means of injustice,” Cardinal Müller adds, quoting from St. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, “for they have closed themselves to the love of the truth by which they should be saved.”
He closes his testimony by reminding that all the faithful must “recall these fundamental truths by clinging to what we ourselves have received.” - NCRegister
Why this is important for me to highlight Cardinal Mueller's Manifesto and fidelity to the Church.
Many of my friends and relatives and some who read me are not always faithful Catholics, some have fallen away, others simply reject Catholic teaching as BS. They look at the hierarchy and priests as hypocrites and fund-raising scam artists. They are deterred from approaching the Church because of the sins of her members and ministers, who teach that you can't get married outside the Church, can't divorce, can't contracept, can't be gay, much less say gay, and definitely no ss marriage or adoption for gay couples. Yet not a few who call out others as heretics for this or that doctrinal issue may have lived double lives themselves - not at all practicing what they preach. Deflecting attention away from their own corruption.
That is why the Manifesto by Mueller is welcome affirmation of what the Catechism teaches, and he does this without making any sort of attack upon this bishop, that cardinal, nor our Holy Father. Pundits, commentators, journalists will use this against the Pope - and they will continue to dig up scandals and name names and describe in detail sins committed by closeted gay prelates, further scandalizing the faithful and those who have fallen away due to injustice and scandal. Pray for those who doubt, our brothers and sisters who are lost or away from the Church and the sacraments, and let the dead bury their dead.
