CC#26--The 2023 Synod Has A History

After two weeks of meetings in Rome at the Synod, do we know where these meetings are going, where they are directed? Or perhaps is the final document already written before this Synod ever started? Let's talk about this on the next Catholic Corner.

Welcome to the Theory to Action Podcast, where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time, to help you take action immediately and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life. Now here's your host, David Kaiser.

Hello, I am David and welcome back to another Catholic Corner and to another enlightening episode of our podcast, where we delve into the profound happenings within the Catholic Church. Today, we're going to turn our focus to the monumental Synod of Synonality. It's a tongue twister, but it's taking place, has been taking place for the last two weeks in the heartbeat of Catholicism in Rome, italy. This gathering, inspired by Pope Francis' vision, is a pivotal stepping stone on the Church's path towards what he professes to be greater unity. We will be exploring the discussions that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of attendees to the Synod are engaging in right now, and these official issues that they're discussing are the authority within the Church, the role of laity in the decision making and the Episcopal Collegiality. Now it's worth mentioning a topic that has been the subject of much speculation and debate within Catholic Corners and Catholic Circles, rather, the issue of the blessing of same-sex marriages. While it's not explicitly on this official Synod agenda, it's hard to ignore its silent prominence. It's a matter that is stirring up conversations, despite not being formally addressed. This contentious issue embodies the diverse discussions happening at the Synod, indicative of a Church grappling with modernity while rooted in tradition and Scripture, now adding to the list of the contemporary issues being explored is. Another area Taking attention is the ordination of women priests in the Catholic Churches. This topic resurfaces time and time again in the life of the Church, so we will explore that topic as well Now. Indeed, there are some who are making audacious predictions that this Synod may herald a seismic shift akin to what the Church experienced in the 16th century with the Protestant Revolt. A bold claim, certainly, but not without merit. The winds of change are indeed blowing, and the Church stands at a precipice of decisions that could reshape its future and redefine its relationship with the modern world. So as we travel through these captivating times together in faith and fellowship, one cannot help but feel the echoes of the past reverberating through the present. They offer us both cautionary tales and hopeful promises. Are we on the cusp of a seismic shift within the Catholic Church? Only time will tell, but join us as we continue to follow these fascinating developments. Now, my friends, we're going to turn to our book of the day and to the author whose name is synonymous with incisive Vatican reporting. His name is Edward Penton. Now Ed Penton is the esteemed senior Vatican reporter for the National Catholic Register. He has steadfastly dedicated his career to uncovering and sharing the truth of the Holy Sea with the world. He has wonderful insights and a deep understanding of the inner workings of the Vatican. He's renowned for his journalistic integrity and investigative acumen, and Penton brings an objective lens to his reporter. He is a Catholic, but he also fosters a sense of trust and credibility among his readers and listeners across the globe. Now, as we explore the complexities of this synod, there is no one better equipped to guide us, and the reason I chose this book is because back in 2014, right after Pope Francis was elected, there was the 2014 extraordinary synod on the family, and Edward Penton wrote a book about it. Let's delve into this remarkable piece of work. The title, which is the rigging of a Vatican synod an investigation into the alleged manipulation at the extraordinary synod of the family. This book is an illuminating expose of the 2014 extraordinary synod on the family, and here's a brief overview of the book. Following the newly elected Pope Francis, the synod was a pivotal moment in the modern church history. Edward Penton, with his sharp journalistic lens, leaves no stone unturned. He offers readers an unprecedented behind the scenes look at this synod and he unravels the complexities of the event with remarkable clarity. This book discusses the alleged manipulations and the politicking that supposedly swayed the synod's outcome. This is a must read for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the machinations within the Vatican during this critical period of time. So if you're like me and you read that, you're probably thinking, huh, I didn't know about this synod. What's this quote rigging of the synod all about? I got some questions here. Some of my questions are what are the key manipulations that Edward Penton is allegedly occurred during this 2014 synod of the family? And how does Edward Penton describe the role of Pope Francis in this synod? And why, according to Penton, was the synod a pivotal moment in modern church history? So in my research and digging through the book, there is a lot, so much that I can't in any way do justice for the whole book. But here is the good news. I'll provide a link to the book if you want to get it on Kindle. But more importantly, ed Penton, the author, just last month included a significant part of his last chapter of the book for free on his website. I'll put a link in the show notes to that, but let me grab some significant quotes from this last chapter. Going to the book the stated purpose of a third extraordinary assembly. The synod of bishops was straightforward but risky To open up a debate on some of the most neuralistic issues facing the church and her teaching, issues that have wrought the tension and division for some past 50 years. The apparent hope was that it would enable her to offer a more unified and effective pastoral response to the challenges facing the family today. To many it seemed to further that goal. They saw the synod as salutary, collegial and an inspirational experience that showed the great universality of the church. They welcomed the way in which, for the first time, it gave those who hold different views, or what Cardinal Bram, euler and others would criticize as heretical perspectives, a full earring. Now, many of those who saw the meeting so positively tended to reject the allegations of manipulation. Even some of them were critical of certain procedures or decisions of the synodal leaders. Some who rejected the progressive positions pushed by some of the meeting's heads and espoused by some synod fathers also thought the final outcome of the synod was positive, despite certain missteps. So that's interesting. So many of those who the meeting so positively tended, they ended up rejecting the allegations of the manipulation. So that's fair. But let's keep going. But whatever one makes of the charges of manipulation. This book shows that Pope Francis's wish for an open and free debate in which all parties could listen with humility was seriously impeded, whether by dubious procedures inadequate to the tasks at hand, as some claim, or by outright manipulation by the leaders with an agenda, as others claim. At the very least, it seems that the Casper position, that would be Cardinal Casper, and that of those favoring a change regarding homosexuality, received support from the synod leadership significantly disproportionate to the real support for those positions among the synod fathers. Add to this the publicly created by the media release of the interim report and the result was a highly controversial synod. One side targeted for repression was, bizarrely, the one that upheld the Catholic traditional doctrine of the church, passed down from one generation to the next for some 2000 years. This led the Synod to become, in the words of one cardinal, grossly unfair. The principle to hear the arguments of both sides was aggressively disregarded, despite the fact that it is one of the two norms of natural justice, both in canon law and in civil law. Suddenly, merely restating the church's long held doctrine on key issues left one open to bowling and intimidation and threats, not so much by the media as by some of Get this in senior church positions, even those in charge of the Synod itself. This book has, one hopes, gone some way in presenting the extent of the problems within the process of the extraordinary Synod of 2014 and has identified those who were the principal protagonist of the difficulties. Ah, so one side was targeted for repression and that was the side that upheld the traditional doctrine the church. Hmm. Now the interesting thing about all this is in Ed's book, he highlights 13 different examples of where manipulations happened in the course of the 2014 Synod, and my reaction to 13 different examples was Holy smokes, holy smokes. Yes, 13 different examples. I I Originally thought there would be one or two or three and I thought what? This can be part of a miscommunication. This can be just, you know, different people seeing different sides of a certain issue. But 13 different examples is Almost an overwhelming number and as you read through each of these examples in the book, there's a lot of meat on the bone to each of these, as they say. And actually let's dig into just one example, because some of these examples are. They take anywhere from, you know, 15 to 20 to 25, 30 different pages to try and explain and pull apart and deduce. But on page 171 of this book, we have a chronology here and I think this is one significant example of the 13 dated October 13, 2014. The Synod fathers are presented with the Relatio. That's an interim report summarizing the discussions of just the first week, and it's purported to represent their views at a press briefing that afternoon. Cardinal Airdo and Archbishop Bruno Forte, the special secretary, are present. The Relatio is presented to the media as if it's the views of the Synod fathers, but significant patch passages, namely proposals to look at positive aspects of homosexual unions and cohabitations, were hardly or not at all discussed by the Synod fathers. Father Lombardi Says he recalls only one speech of about out of roughly 265 About homosexuals during the debate. When asked about the meaning of the passages relating to homosexuality, cardinal Airdo effectively disowns the document, pointing at Forte and saying he who wrote the text must know what he is talking about. It seems generally accepted that the document has largely Was largely written by Cardinal Forte, a disciple of the late Carlo Cardinal Martini, the Archbishop of Milan. Now the Associated Press describes Forte as a Italian theologian known for pushing the pastoral envelope on dealing with people in irregular unions while staying true to Catholic doctrine. The Relatio is sent to the press before it is read to the Synod fathers and then it's immediately reported around the world as a revolution in the church. Many practicing Catholics view passages relating to homosexuality, cohabitation, contraception and reception of holy communion by divorced persons living in invalid civil unions as scandalous. The report is roundly criticized by many Synod fathers, including Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York, who says quote a lot of bishops I would include myself feel that it needs Some major reworking. End of quote. Now the Relatio is also published in various languages within 48 hours, suggesting to critics it was written before the end, or perhaps even before the start, of the first week and the conclusion of the discussions. It's claimed in response that Forte and other members of the drafting committee drew upon all the Synod fathers written submissions submitted Prior to the meeting and that these were factored in, even If the bishops did not utter them. Then, in an interview with an Italian magazine published the same day, l Fuggilio, cardinal Burke says it seems that, quote something is not working well if the information is manipulated in a way so as to stress only One position instead of reporting faithfully on the various positions that were expressed. He goes on to say this worries me very much Because a consistent number of bishops do not accept the idea of a break With traditional church teaching, but few know this. He adds the pope, named Cardinal Casper to the Synod and has let the debate go along this track. I Am waiting. I am waiting I the Pope's pronouncement, which is able to be only in the continuity with the teaching given by the church through her whole history, a teaching that is never changed because it cannot change. The Polish bishops then expressed concern that Pope St John Paul II's teachings on the family are not getting sufficient attention at the Synod. He's not mentioned once in the interim report, though some of his writings are cited a few times, and they see the Synod in general as a rejection of John Paul's work on the family. Continuing to quote from the book, the next day, october 14, 2014, at a press briefing, cardinal Napierre tells reporters that the interim report puts the church in a position that is quote virtually irredeemable. He says the content of the relatio is not what we're saying at all, and at the press received the text before the Synod fathers did. George Weigel would later comment that the leak enabled the media template to be quickly set. In a concrete quote it's finally happened. The church is changing. The Holy See Press Office does not deny the accusations of manipulation, but stresses that the interim report is a quote working document and is part of the ongoing Synodal process. And then we fast forward to a lot of back and forth. We pass over that to October 18, 2014. The final document is presented to the Synod fathers, although paragraphs 52, 53 and 55 on same sex unions, cohabitation and communion for divorced and civilly remarried failed to achieve the two thirds majority vote. Majority of votes, consensus orders that they be published in the final document as well. This surprises many, who feel that any proposals that failed to reach the agreed consensus in this case of two thirds of the majority should not be included, in accordance with the most legislative procedures agreed upon. Father Lombardi tells reporters that although the paragraphs do not express consensus, they were not completely rejected. He says they cannot be considered an expression of synodal consensus, but they show these topics to be a work in progress and that we still have a ways to go. Others point out that the paragraph still passed with a majority of over 50% of the votes, so their continued inclusion is legitimate. Later on, cardinal Burke says in an interview that it was not possible to have any discussion on that text, but we voted paragraph by paragraph. He adds what's the point of voting paragraph by paragraph except to either accept a paragraph or have it removed? This is just one more disturbing aspect about the way in which the synod of bishops was conducted. Some observers noted deafening silence with regard to references to St John Paul II's teachings on the family in all previous synod documents. In an interview with the D Zeit, cardinal Marx continues to push the agenda, claiming Pope Francis is ready to move the church ahead in a radical direction. Quote the synod debates were just the starting point. Francis wants to get things moving, to push processes forward. The real work is about to begin. The fact that the two hot button issues communion for divorce to remarried Catholics and on a more positive, open approach to homosexuality were discussed at the October 5th through the 19th Synod of Bishops on the Family and failed to get two thirds of majority, should not be seen as a setback. Standing who comes to that conclusion has not had his eye on what has been going on in our church over the past one and a half years. End of quote. So, as you can see, in just one of these quotes and I didn't, this was the easiest one to be able to pick out paragraphs and be able to share it with you. There's 13 other examples and much deeper examples as you read through this book. So I don't want to say there's something nefarious, but boy, just one of these quotes is very alarming and the other 12 are overwhelmingly problematic. Let's pull one more quote. This is a conclusion from Edward Penton's book, where he has done great writing. Let's pull this one last quote. In October 2015, the 14th Ordinary General Assembly, the Synod of Bishops on the Family, will take place on the theme of the vocation and mission of the family and the church in the contemporary world, the second of the two synods on the family. There are indications that the next Synod may wind up in a situation similar to that of the previous one, and now the key leaders have an agenda to emphasize innovative pastoral practices that many others see as being at odds with the church's established doctrine. Now, withstanding Pope Francis's wishes for an open discussion yielding a well-grounded unity, the next Synod may result in even more confusion and more dissension. To prevent this, some are looking upon the next Synod as a summons to return to established teachings of the church, to revert to scripture and tradition, which were largely sidelined at the last Synod. Critics of the last year's meeting believed that, after years of poor catechesis, doctrine must be reasserted and proclaimed, ending the false dichotomy underlying the notion that upholding the church's teaching and practice somehow means being un-pastoral. Jesus, they point out, took a pity on the crowd, who were like quote sheep without a shepherd, not by affirming them in their worldly thinking and values, but by first teaching them many things. They also warned about the false doctrine cloaked under the seductive guise of, quote innovative pastoral practices. End of quote. This is not new, of course, and no shortage of scriptural passages warn against it. Now, in terms of Ed Patton doing absolutely wonderful reporting, when all of this was taking place, pope Benedict had just retired. He was now Pope Emeritus and Ed, through his reporting, he has a footnote in this book about he was Pope Benedict was asked at the end of this Synod, the 2014 Synod on the family, and here's what Ed reported at the time. Quote it is related on good authority, but unconfirmed, that a visitor asked Pope Emeritus Benedict the 16th, after the 2014 Synod, what he thought about the meeting, to which he allegedly replied Halton Z Zick, unbedinked in D Lea. Now, my German is not that good, despite six years, three in high school, three in college but that translation means adhere strictly to the doctrine. Adhere strictly to the doctrine and again you would. You will remember, which took the world's surprise, that Pope Benedict the 16th announced his resignation on February 13th, citing a lack of strength in mind and body due to his advanced age. Now that decision was unprecedented. When Pope Benedict resigned. He was the first Pope to resign in almost six centuries, not since Pope Gregory the 12th stepped down on 415. Now, benedict's announcement sparked both shock and speculation, with his tenure marked by significant achievements in trouble and controversies, but his departure paved the way for the election of the now Holy Father, pope Francis. So again we have it on good authority that Pope Emeritus Benedict the 16th, who's now passed on God rest his soul With the 2014 Synod said adhere strictly to the doctrine. And then Ed in his book, makes references to two scripture passages on Jesus' teaching when he confronts the crowds and he says they are like a sheep without a shepherd. You will remember in Mark 634, when Jesus landed and he saw the long throng, the large throng, he had compassion on them because they were like a sheep without a shepherd, and it began to teach them many things. Or that other reference from Romans 12 to don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. So those are just two passages that Ed includes in his book about the role of the Holy Father, because it's indeed it's an essential part of the Holy Father's role to instruct the ignorant, providing guidance to all the members of the church on religious and moral issues. Now the Pope is the spiritual shepherd of the Catholic community worldwide, is called to lead his flock towards a path of righteousness, repentance and truth. His teachings, rooted in the doctrines of the church, serve to illuminate the minds of those seeking answers to the truth and to dispel the clouds of ignorance and uncertainty. By adhering strictly to the teachings, the deposit of faith, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the faith in its central tenets, enabling them to lead lives that are in harmony with the church's teaching and with the teachings of Christ. Now Ed, in the last part of his books, makes reference to this saying quote they also warn about false doctrine cloaked under the seductive guise of innovative pastoral practice. This is not new, of course, and no shortage of scriptural passages worn against it. And here Ed rightly cites two scriptures that seem to be talking to us about our current synod, from 2 Timothy 4-3,. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching. Having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths, and from Romans 1, 21, and 122, they will become futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. So we have the evidence from Ed Penton's wonderful reporting in his book that the 2014 Synod on the family appears to be severely manipulated, rigged, as Ed Penn has written and I would also point you to Cardinal Joseph Zen, the predominant Cardinal from Hong Kong, who wrote a letter just before the beginning of this Synod here in 2023? Saying I'm supposing that you are as worried as I am about the outcome of this Synod, so in this letter that I'll put a link in the show notes for you, he highlights many things, but he goes back and highlights how this 2014 Synod extraordinary Synod was rigged. Now, who's Cardinal Zen? Well, like I said, he's the. He's the prominent figure in the Catholic Church from Hong Kong. As Bishop for more than 26 years, he's dedicated his life to theological service and Orthodoxy and upholding the sacred tradition of the Catholic faith. He's now at the venerable age of 91, but he continues To be a holy warrior with an active voice, sharing his insights and concerns about the developments in the church, such as this Synod on Synonality. Like I said, I'll put a link in the show notes for this full text of his letter. So, in conclusion, we ourselves At the beginning of this episode, we ask questions Do we know where the synodal meetings are going and where they are to be directed? Or perhaps is this Final document from this synod already written before it is even over the first two questions, we have a better idea now. And To that third question most likely that answer is the document has already been written. It's sad to say that and to compliment contemplate that, but as past history is proving to be prologue, it sounds like that's the truth. So, as we find ourselves at a crossroad in time, navigating the complexities of faith and doctrine in a rapidly changing world, with a Rutterless church right now in Rome, and while innovation and progression are indeed fundamental to personal and societal evolution, it's crucial now More than ever that we cling to the unchanging truth of the gospel, to the truth of Christ given to us in the sacred, to positive faith. Without question, we must heed Pope Emeritus Benedict, the 16th wise counsel, adheres strictly to the doctrine, and remember the scriptural warnings against false teachings that Ed brought us. Because as we traverse these challenging times, let's strive to uphold the teachings of Jesus, our shepherd, to guide us away from confusion and towards unity and truth. So, until our next Catholic corner, keep questioning what's going on, keep learning and, most importantly, keep your faith. Thank you for joining us and God bless you all and, as always, keep fighting the Good Fight.

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