German Auxiliary Bishop Chastises Cardinal for LGBTQ-Negative Comments

In strong LGBTQ-positive language, a German auxiliary bishop has publicly chastised a high-ranking German cardinal for making strongly negative comments about LGBTQ+ people in a discussion about what qualities are needed in the next pope.

Bishop Ludger Schepers

Bishop Ludger Schepers, of Essen, who serves as the liason to the LGBTQ+ community for the German Bishops’ Conference, criticized comments made by Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the conservative former head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who Francis dismissed, in favor of the more progressive Cardinal Victor Fernandez.  Newsweek reported on Müller’s comments :

“Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa on April 28, Müller said the next pope should have ‘a solid theological and doctrinal formation, which is ‘neither authoritarian nor weak.’

” ‘If Jesus says that marriage is between a man and a woman and is indissoluble, no pope can change this doctrine,’ he added. ‘The homosexual lobbies want to equate unions between people of the same sex to marriage, but this totally contradicts the doctrine of the Bible. We can discuss concrete, individual pastoral care for individuals, to guide them to Christian life, but we cannot accept gender ideology, which is contrary to the doctrine of the Church.”

Cardinal Gerhard Müller

LGBTQNation.com reported that Müller also said that the next pope should be “determined to stand up to ideological lobbies, including the gay lobby.”

Schepers criticized Müller not only for making such comments, but for doing so during the period of papal transition.  Schepers said:

“It is time for the Church to reflect on what is essential: the dignity of every individual and the love that transcends all boundaries.”

Katholisch.de reported on Schepers’ further comments:

“Schepers said it was very regrettable that Müller was increasingly using the current period of the See’s vacancy to present his views on the Church and demand a tougher approach to homosexual people. The cardinal repeatedly speaks out with condemnations and a narrow perspective. Instead, Schepers emphasized: ‘For me, the Church’s strength lies not in condemnation or rigid dogmas, but in turning to people—in love, compassion, and acceptance.’ The message of Jesus is a message of mercy, not exclusion.”

Schepers continued by criticzing the cardinal’s use of the term “gender ideology, notin that it is “not a monolithic concept that needs to be combated, but rather describes the diversity of human feelings and experiences. People love, feel, and want to be loved – regardless of their gender identity.”

The auxiliary bishop offered some guidance to the cardinal, based on the example and principles of Pope Francis.  Katholisch.de reported that Schepers suggested:

“Cardinal Müller should rather ask himself ‘whether his words are truly in the spirit of Jesus, who placed love and acceptance at the center and discriminated against no one.’ Pope Francis has shown how ‘the battered Church must turn to people: honestly, mercifully, approachably, and authentically. Even if Pope Francis hasn’t always answered all the questions posed so clearly, his willingness to address people’s concerns and needs was exemplary.’

“It is important that the Church orient itself towards this example and see itself as a community that reaches out to people, Schepers said. ‘I wish this for the next Pope as well, in order to strengthen the trust of the faithful and pave the way to a hopeful future. Hopefully, the Francis chapter in Church history is not yet closed, as Cardinal Müller sees it.’ “

This is not the first time that Schepers has spoken out forthrightly in suppport of LGBTQ+ people.  Most recently he stated “The fact that parts of the Catholic Church find themselves – once again – in the same boat as the [political] reactionaries is a worrying observation for me,” as a response to the growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment among far right German lawmakers.

Pope Francis had strongly encouraged discussion among church leaders, even if that meant strong disagreement.  It’s a blessing to see that Bishop Schepers is following that advice, and that he is fearless in speaking out in support of LGBTQ+ people–even when they are attacked by high church officials.

—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, May 3, 2025