In an extensive exclusive interview with the French media outlet Tribune Chrétienne, granted in Rome on October 9, Cardinal Robert Sarah addressed with his usual clarity the great challenges of the Church and the contemporary world. Considered one of the firmest voices of Catholic orthodoxy, he insisted that the future of humanity depends on its relationship with God: «Man has his root in God; excluding Him from society is to destroy ourselves.» For Sarah, the mission of the Church is not to adapt to the world, but to place Christ at the center: «Without God we cannot live. The Church is made to teach, sanctify, and guide, not to remain silent.»
God at the Center
The cardinal sees secularization as a form of spiritual anesthesia that has emptied Europe of its Christian roots. «The West lives as if God did not exist,» he stated, and pointed out that «governments that legalize abortion or euthanasia mock God.» In that sense, he described the inscription of abortion in the French Constitution as a «direct insult to God» and condemned euthanasia without reservation: «No authority has the right to decide on someone’s life or death.» In contrast, he positively highlighted the recovery of prayer in public life in the United States, valuing the attitude of those who «invite the people to turn toward God.»
The Liturgy: The Heart of Faith
Sarah devoted much of the conversation to the Mass and its profound meaning. «The Eucharist is the only moment when man is in direct contact with God, where He listens to him and speaks to him,» he emphasized, lamenting that it has become «a battlefield between traditionalists and progressives.» Regarding the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, he expressed his hope that Pope Leo XIV «will make room for each one,» recalling that «the Pope is father to all: to traditionalists and to progressives.» For the cardinal, «prohibiting the traditional Mass is a mistake; we must encourage those who practice and believe.»
Doctrine and Truth
On doctrinal evolution, Sarah specified that the Church can deepen its understanding of the truth, but without altering its nature. «Doctrine evolves like an embryo: it develops, but does not transform into something else,» he explained. «The teaching we must welcome with faith is that of the Magisterium, not the opinion of the theologian.» He rejected the possibility of women’s priesthood by recalling that «the question is definitively resolved by St. John Paul II: the Church has no power whatsoever to ordain women.»
Current Ecclesial Affairs
Asked about the first apostolic exhortation of the new pontiff Leo XIV, centered on love for the poor, Sarah responded that he had not yet read it, but warned against the temptation to politicize the Church: «The Church is spouse, mother, educator, and missionary; it is not for the poor or for the rich, it is mother to all peoples.» Regarding the direction of the new pontificate, he celebrated prudence and continuity: «It is not wise to change everything in months; true change must begin within each one of us: priests, bishops, and faithful.»
Fiducia supplicans and the Moral Question
On the controversial document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the so-called «LGBT pilgrimage,» Sarah was categorical: «Every person must be respected, but every person must also respect God and the doctrine of the Church.» He described the introduction of flags and ideological symbols in basilicas as an «aggression against God» and supported the acts of reparation promoted by several bishops. «We respect everyone, but we must also respect God,» he affirmed.
Migration and Mission
The cardinal considers a merely material approach to migrants insufficient. «If you only give bread, you have given nothing; give them God as well,» he said. In his view, true help is to offer education, work, and faith in their countries of origin. He recalled that the Christian mission remains relevant: «Jesus sent his disciples to teach and baptize; it is not about forcing, but about proposing Christ as the only Savior.»
The Family and Vocations
Sarah identified the crisis of the family as the origin of the vocational crisis. «If we destroy the family, we destroy the Church,» he warned. «There is only one family: a man, a woman, and the children.» He explained that faith is first transmitted in the home and that without that foundation «the faith fades.» For the cardinal, rebuilding the family is an indispensable condition for renewing Christian life and mission.
Africa, Culture, and Liturgy
The prelate responded to those who accuse him of distancing himself from his continent by recalling that he remains deeply African, but that before being African he is Christian: «I am an African Christian. First son of God, then African.» He firmly criticized celebrations turned into spectacles: «We celebrate the death of Christ; did Mary and John dance at the foot of the Cross?,» he asked, lamenting that some priests and bishops «banalize the liturgy» with dances and guitars.
Ecology and Faith
On the theme of «integral ecological conversion» relaunched by Leo XIV, Sarah called for prudence and balance: «We respect nature because it is God’s work, but we must not turn it into a goddess.» He recalled that «the earth has never been called ‘our mother’ in the Bible» and that an excess of ecological discourse can lead to syncretism: «True conversion is that of the heart; if the heart converts, our relationship with creation also changes.»
Hope and Holiness
At the end of the meeting, the cardinal summarized his vocation and his deepest desire: «My only ambition is for God to make me a holy priest.» He asked for prayers for priests «many of them discouraged and alone,» and repeated the phrase he chose as his episcopal motto: «My grace is sufficient for you.» For Sarah, that is the core of all Christian hope: trusting that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain the faith, renew the Church, and redirect the world toward its true light.
Exclusive interview with Cardinal Robert Sarah (full version in Spanish)
In the Catholic world and beyond, Cardinal Robert Sarah is recognized as one of the great prophetic voices of the Church. He was prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and is a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Faithful to the doctrine of the Church, he calls for placing Christ at the center of the faith. Millions of faithful read and listen to him. In this conversation, he reviews his perspective on the Church, the faith, and the challenges of our time.
«If they call me heir to the Inquisition, I accept it»
— You are described as conservative or even ultra-conservative. L’Humanité, in April 2025, before the conclave, presented you as the worthy heir to the Inquisition. How do you receive this type of accusation?
— I receive it as an accusation. I have nothing to respond. If they judge me that way, I accept it. But I find it an unfounded accusation, one that does not hold up. If they judge me that way, what do you want me to say? I accept it. By definition, it has no foundation.
On Abortion
— Pope Francis went so far as to say that doctors who perform abortions are «hitmen.» Do you share that expression? And how can the Church continue to defend life in a world where death has been banalized?
— Vatican II defined abortion as an abominable crime. It is the position of the Church: thou shalt not kill. It is an absolute commandment. I fully share what Pope Francis said. It cannot be distorted: abortion is an abominable crime.
— In France, abortion has been inscribed in the Constitution.
— That is a French decision. But it seems to me a mockery of God, a direct offense to God. France, the eldest daughter of the Church, has come to insult God with this type of decision.
Donald Trump and the Return of Faith
— In the United States, Donald Trump has returned faith to the center of public life. There is prayer and adoration in the White House. What inspires you about this return of the religious to politics?
— Man has his origin in God. To separate from God is to commit suicide. Trump’s decision to invite his people to turn toward God seems wise to me. Without God we cannot live. The West commits suicide by excluding Him. Today in the West God «has died.» We have banished Him from everyday life and from politics. But without God, man destroys himself.
— And about the murder of Charlie Kirk?
— I did not know him personally, but it seems he lived his faith publicly. We live in a democracy that proclaims freedom of expression, but does not tolerate a different word. It is a horror that in a civilized country one is murdered for professing the faith.
Euthanasia
— The French Senate is examining a law on so-called «aid in dying.» What would you say to the senators?
— No government has the right to decide on anyone’s life or death. We have no right to kill a person, under any pretext. To decide that is to usurp a power that does not belong to them.
«I do not speak on behalf of any party»
— In France, you are associated with a certain identitarian movement.
— I never speak of politics. I am a priest and bishop: I speak of God, of doctrine, of morals. I am neither right nor left. Some may instrumentalize my words, but I only speak in the name of God.
On Leo XIV’s Apostolic Exhortation
— Today the first exhortation of Pope Leo XIV is published, centered on love for the poor. What inspires you about it?
— I have not read it yet. But I will say this: the Church is spouse, mother, and educator. It is not a human creation, it comes from God. We must avoid ideological qualifications. The Church is not «for the poor» or «for the rich»: it is mother to all peoples.
Ordination of Women
— Sarah Mullally has been appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. What do you think?
— The question is resolved by St. John Paul II: there is no women’s priesthood. And therefore, no women’s episcopate either. Mary was the holiest of women, but Jesus did not make her a priest. The Church has no authority to change that.
Doctrinal Evolution
— Some speak of «inspired» doctrine versus «revealed» doctrine, to justify changes.
— Doctrine can develop, but without contradicting its nature. Like an embryo that grows without ceasing to be human. Theologians can opine, but only the Magisterium teaches with authority.
Sexual Abuses
— After the CIASE report, some want to blame the entire Church.
— What some priests have done is terrible, but they represent 3%. The remaining 97% cannot be condemned. There is a clear intention to use these cases to silence the Church, but the word of God cannot be chained.
Liturgy and Traditionis custodes
— You hope that the motu proprio will be reviewed.
— Christ prayed for unity. And we have turned the Mass into a battlefield: traditionalists against progressives. It is a profanation. The liturgy is the moment when man comes face to face with God. The faithful who practice the most today are those who attend the traditional Mass. We must encourage them, not prohibit them. I hope the Pope takes that into account.
Fiducia supplicans and the «LGBT Pilgrimage»
— What do you think of that blessing of homosexual couples?
— Every person must be respected, but must also respect God’s law. Admitting a «marriage» between people of the same sex makes no sense. And introducing the LGBT flag in a basilica is insulting God. We must ask for forgiveness.
Persecution in the West
— You experienced dictatorship in Guinea. How do you see the situation in the West?
— In Africa we suffer physical persecution. In the West, the persecution is more serious: faith is anesthetized. Churches are profaned, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality are legalized. The Christian root has been lost. It is a deeper spiritual persecution.
Secularism
— Is secularism a pretext to attack the Church?
— Yes. The secular state that cuts its roots destroys itself. It is an ideology against the Church. Man cannot live without religion. Everything in European culture—art, architecture, music—is born from Christianity. To deny it is to commit suicide.
Migration
— Pope Leo XIV said: «Migrants will always be welcome.» You, on the other hand, have spoken of a «betrayal.»
— My position is clear: why do they come? Because they believe Europe is paradise. We must help them develop in their countries. It is not enough to give them work: we must also give them God. If we only give bread, we give nothing.
— And how to evangelize Muslims?
— Jesus said: «Go into all the world and baptize.» It is not about forcing, but about announcing. If we believe that only Christ saves, we must evangelize. Material development is not enough: we must announce the Gospel.
Family and Vocations
— Is the vocational crisis linked to the family?
— Of course. If the family is destroyed, the Church is destroyed. The family is the small domestic Church. There are not «several types» of family: only one, formed by a man, a woman, and their children. If faith is not transmitted at home, faith goes extinct.
Ecology and Mission
— Pope Leo XIV has taken up the theme of «ecological conversion.»
— We must respect creation because it is God’s work, but not turn it into a goddess. «Mother Earth» does not exist in the Bible. Introducing idols like Pachamama into a basilica was a mistake. True conversion is that of the heart.
On Leo XIV and Change in the Curia
— Some expected a revolution in the Curia. It has not happened.
— The Pope cannot change everything in a few months. He is not a magician. True change must come from us: priests, bishops, faithful. Authentic change is interior, of faith, of prayer, of holiness.
The Church in France
— Is the French Church too silent?
— Compared to Germany, Belgium, or Holland, the Church in France is not doing badly. Many new movements have been born from it. It was the only one where the people took to the streets to protest against «marriage for all.» It must be congratulated.
Africa and the Liturgy
— Some say you no longer know Africa, that there the Masses are festive, with songs and dances.
— I am African and Christian. But before being African, I am son of God. Jesus prayed in silence for 30 years before preaching. Do not confuse culture with worship. It is not about spectacles: in the Mass we celebrate the death of Christ. Did Mary dance at the foot of the cross?
Your Episcopal Motto: «My Grace Is Sufficient for You»
— Why did you choose that motto?
— I chose it because I was young and inexperienced. It reminded me that it was not I who had chosen myself, but God. And His grace is sufficient.
— Did you ever doubt?
— Only once, in the seminary in Nancy. But then my father told me: «You have had several superiors, each different, but you do not work for them, but for God.»
Your Spiritual Testament
— What would you like to be remembered about you?
— I only desire to be a holy priest, at the service of God and the Church. Nothing more.
— Many priests today are discouraged.
— Yes, but let them remember that Christ suffered first. His suffering is incomparable. Let them not lose courage. And let bishops be close to their priests.
Interview conducted in Rome. Original text in French for Tribune Chrétienne. Faithful translation to Spanish for InfoVaticana.