What gives at this gathering of synodalists? What do the gatherers have in mind? The Catholic hoi-polloi are alerted, more or less.
Let's have a look.
Bishops, priests, religious and lay people will be asked to consider a series of questions as part of the global synod process, including the ordination of married men, greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics, reform of governance, the selection of bishops and lay leadership.
A pope's laundry list. He has a plan.
An overhaul of the seminary system to ensure that clergy are trained in a synodal manner is also mentioned repeatedly. This reflects a concern [in liberal quarters] that some priests, particularly those ordained in recent years, have resisted or ignored the synod process.
Get to them early, else you lose this battle. Long-haul approach.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the synod document in the Vatican, Cardinal Mario Grech, the leader of the Holy See's synod office, said some people had claimed that the "People of God" cannot contribute to a synod process. The cardinal described this as an "insult."
The cardinal's got a mouth on him.
A section of the [working] document is devoted to the “promotion of the baptismal dignity of women”, a topic which emerged as an urgent priority during the initial synodal dialogues worldwide.
Nicely phrased to make opposition look like louts. Not in favor of baptismal dignity? And you a Catholic?
Pope Francis has ruled that, for the first time, women will take part in the October assembly as voting members.
OK. First issue settled handily.
Keep in mind that the above is from the Francis-friendly Tablet, in the person of Christopher Lamb, from whom has come nary a mumblin' word of dissent from this pontiff’s actions or spoken word.
In counterpoise the prolific Russell Shaw offers a cautionary note:
In a notable article “Synodality and the Second Vatican Council”, published in a journal called The Thomist, Catholic University of America theologian Christopher Ruddy makes the important point—largely overlooked, it seems, by synodality’s conservative critics—that “the ecclesial renewal set in motion by the council is now reaching a new, mature, and perhaps decisive stage.”
Deserving a closer look, he continues.
But for the synodal process to produce the good fruit at which its sponsors aim, Ruddy writes, certain . . . “prunings”—are necessary. He names three.
First, “the synod and its preparation need to be transparent and free from manipulation.”
He’s suspicious, yes?
Second, “’Dialogue’ and ‘inclusion’ [papal catchwords] are not stand-alone, self-evident concepts but must respect the doctrinal boundaries established by the scriptural canon and rule of faith.” [A Solomon come to judgment!]
Look out for OK words, with ecclesiastical winks and nods to go with.
Third (“most fundamentally”), synodality “must not be conscripted into service as a cover for doctrinal change . . . on matters of human sexuality, sacramental discipline and doctrine, and ordained ministry.”
Plain talk there. Keep your hands off our received teachings and practices! Out of bounds, fellows and gals!
And go easy with the Holy Spirit talk, the biggest cover of all when tossed about — can we say weaponized?
Who was it named as quoting Scripture to his purpose?
“An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”
Say it isn’t so, synodalists the world over.