Cardinal Müller Wants Next Pope To Stand Up To The “Gay Lobby”
As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pope, Cardinal Gerhard Müller has stated the next pontiff must stand firm against what he terms the “gay lobby” and resist ideological pressures.
What is “Gay Lobby”?
When figures like Müller mention the “gay lobby”, they are generally referring to perceived groups or influential individuals. These critics believe such groups advocate for modifying Church positions on sexuality or represent what they see as undue LGBTQIA+ influence within the Church itself. The term suggests an organised pressure group, although no single formal entity exists under this name.
Speaking to Italy’s La Stampa in late April, Cardinal Müller stated the next pope must be firm on doctrine. For Müller, this includes resisting ideological groups, specifically naming the “gay lobby” he described.
He believes the future Church leader needs “a solid theological and doctrinal formation”. Müller wants a return to “orthodoxy, doctrine founded on Scripture and apostolic tradition, and against heresy”. He clearly sees the papal election as pivotal for the Church’s direction.
Defining Marriage and Doctrine
Cardinal Müller used marriage to illustrate his point, referencing Jesus’s words. “Doctrine is not the property of the pope, the bishops or the faithful,” he told La Stampa. “It must conform to the word of Jesus, no one can modify it.”
He specifically addressed marriage between a man and a woman: “If Jesus says that marriage is between a man and a woman, no one can change this doctrine.” Müller then criticised attempts to equate same sex unions with marriage, saying, “The homosexual lobby wants to equate marriage with unions between people of the same sex, but this totally contradicts the doctrine of the Bible.”
These remarks follow complex years regarding the Church and LGBTQIA+ people under Pope Francis. His 2023 decision allowing blessings for same sex couples caused significant debate and resistance, notably from bishops in Africa and Asia. Müller openly disagreed with that decision.
Francis’s Own Controversial Language
Pope Francis also faced controversy regarding gay issues. Despite his “Who am I to judge?” comment, Francis reportedly used extremely offensive language.
In a May 2024 meeting with Italian bishops, he reportedly used the crude Italian slur frociaggine (roughly “faggotry”) while discussing gay men in seminaries. The Vatican issued an apology after criticism, saying Francis “never intended to offend” and restating his message that “in the Church there is space for everyone”.
However, Italy’s ANSA news service reported Francis used the term again in a June 2024 meeting with priests, allegedly saying, “In the Vatican, there is an air of faggotry.” Elise Ann Allen, a Vatican reporter for Crux, suggested this indicated Francis held concerns about gay influence in the clergy, despite his welcoming public statements.
The Conclave Explained
Beginning May 7, 132 cardinals under age 80 enter the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. Locked inside (‘conclave’ means ‘with key’), they will vote until a new pope is elected to lead approximately 1.4 billion Catholics.
Many observers expect a contest between progressives and traditionalists. Since Pope Francis appointed about 80 percent of these electors, some predict a successor similar to him. However, conclaves are historically unpredictable. The large number of electors from 71 countries adds another layer of complexity. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti mentioned this challenge but felt a shared desire for leadership would hasten a decision. Recent conclaves in 2005 and 2013 concluded in just two days.
Cardinal Müller expresses wider concerns about Church unity. He has warned of a potential schism (a formal split) if an “orthodox” leader isn’t chosen. He dismisses political labels like “liberal” or “conservative” within the Church context.
“The question is not between conservatives and liberals but between orthodoxy and heresy,” Müller stated. He said a pope influenced by daily media reports “would be catastrophic.”
As cardinals prepare to vote, comments targeting a so-called “gay lobby” highlight the tensions within the Catholic Church.
The choice they make, revealed when white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney, will show whether the path forward leans towards further exclusion or embraces greater understanding and acceptance for its LGBTQIA+ members.
