Interview with Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller – Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on Liberation Theology

“In some circles you appointment as prefect of the Congregation (CDF) dealing with Catholic doctrine and the recent election of the archbishop of Buenos Aires as Bishop of Rome are seen as a revenge of the liberation theology condemned by John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. What do yo reply to this?

“First of all I would like to point out that there is no discontinuity between Cardinal Ratzinger/Benedict XVI and Pope Francis on the issue of liberation theology. The documents of the then-prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith were intended to specify what was to be avoided to make liberation theology the Church's authentic theology. My appointment indicates continuity in the Church's approach to liberation theology, not the opening of a new chapter.

“The negative aspects of liberation theology referred too by Benedict XVI are the result of the misunderstanding and wrong application of this theology. There would be no such results if authentic theology were applied. Ideological differences created divisions in the Church. But this also happens in Europe where progressive Catholics are opposed to conservative Catholics. This reminds us of the situation in Corinth where some referred to Paul, others to Peter and others yet to Christ. But we must all be united in God because God unites, evil divides. Theology which divides is ideology. Authentic theology leads to God; therefore it cannot produce divisions.