Cardinal Muller had this one important thing to say about the Vatican

The social teaching of the Church must be applied universally.

Cardinal Gerhard Muller, recently sacked by Pope Francis, has spoken out publicly against how the Holy See is run. The Cardinal granted an interview to the German paper, Passauer Neue Presse. Pope Francis declined to renew his contract as head of the Vatican's doctrinal office.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Pope Francis declined to renew Cardinal Gerhard Muller's contract as head of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Pope Francis notified him that he would not be keeping his post two days before the end of his contract on June 30. The meeting between the two was described as "brief."

Cardinal Muller, 69, said the Pope did not state a reason why he was being released. The Vatican Press Office has declined to comment on the brief meeting, stating that it was "private."

Muller spoke to the German newspaper, Passauer Neue Presse, criticizing the way Pope Francis runs the Holy See. "I have said this before -- the church's social teaching must also be applied to the way employees are treated here in the Vatican."

The comment may shock some Catholics who see Pope Francis as a loving, kindly pontiff whose generosity is exceptional. This is an accurate perception, but word has leaked that Pope Francis is stern director behind closed doors.

Several Vatican officials have complained about the Pope's leadership. Some of these people have been removed from their posts.

It may be that Pope Francis is exceptionally strict, but he is himself a humble man, eschewing luxuries and working hard despite his age. He also has a Herculean task set before him. How to shepherd a flock of 1.2 billion people while also serving as a moral example to the rest of the world. The Vatican, and the greater Church needs constant attention to root out corruption, abuse and problems that can potentially bring scandal and division into the faith. And above all, the Church must do all it can to point the way to Christ, and to meet the spiritual, and sometimes physical needs of her followers. It is an incredible task, possibly one of the most difficult jobs in the world.

So it should come as little surprise that Pope Francis is a hard taskmaster. He has a hard task before him.

It is apparent that Pope Francis and Cardinal Muller have exchanged concerns over the Holy Father's directives. Pope Francis does not tolerate dissent, especially when he is certain that his understanding is clear.

Cardinal Muller, particularly as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has a right and a responsibility to raise questions and objections. But if the relationship between the pair becomes untenable, the Pope, who cannot be removed, must effect a change.

Cardinal Muller's statement that the social teaching of the Church must also apply in the Vatican is absolutely correct. However, it is premature to assume a scandal exists. Popes do not always get along with their cardinals and bishops. There is room within the faith for disagreement and dissent. Indeed, this is how the Church is supposed to work. Popes are not always correct, nor are Cardinals always supportive. Discussion and debate is a sign of a healthy, mature church.

For the record, Cardinal Muller has never criticized the Pope over doctrinal matters.

At this time, Cardinal Muller's post has been filled by Monsignor Luis Francisco Ferrer, who was the Congregation's second-in-command.