Spiritual Disunity – “It was clear to Dawson that if religion was the dynamic element in culture, the advance of secularization logically amounted to the devitalization of culture.” “A Vision to Regain. Reconsidering Christopher Dawson” (Academia)
The UK, Christians and Assisted Suicide – “Cardinal Nichols, the head of Catholics in England and Wales, in a recent pastoral letter on the proposed assisted suicide Bill, has warned how quickly a rare procedure can become a more frequent one.” Christian churches are shamelessly leaving Catholics to fight alone against UK’s assisted suicide Bill (Catholic Herald)
Praying Near Abortion Facility – “It seems oddly mediaeval to convict a man for his prayers. But the British courts have defied all reasonable expectations of modern democracy by convicting a man for doing just that on the streets of Bournemouth.” Be Careful What You Think: In Britain, It Might Be a Crime (The European Conservative)
The Synodal Journey – “It is the final Monday of the Synod on Synodality, and the first draft of the final document of the Synod on Synodality is in the hands of the 351 Synodal delegates.” SoS Sat Report: The conclusion of the Synod will not be the end of something, but a new beginning (CatholicSat’s Substack)
Bible Verses, Realtors and Hate Speech – “There have been multiple cases of people having their careers harmed because they expressed their religious beliefs.” Christian Realtor Persecuted For ‘Hate Speech’ After Posting Bible Verses On Facebook (The Federalist)
Synodal Style of Governance – “Among topics for discussion at the synod on synodality this week are the ways in which the Church can be both authentically hierarchical and make use of synodality itself for better governance and ecclesial life.” Will the pope embrace Vatican synodality? (Pillar Catholic)
Walking Together – “What I am feeling most anxiously about is how this Synod on ‘Synodality’ can be successfully (decently) concluded” Let’s Pray for the Successful Ending of the Synod (平安抵岸全靠祂)
Synod Skeptics – “From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to speak boldly and to air their criticisms openly. Since the pope initiated the three-year Synod on Synodality, critics of the process have done just that.” George Weigel on why he’s skeptical of the synod (America Magazine)
Theological Faultlines – “Ecclesial grammar today is shaped by terms such as inclusivity, diversity, the ‘spirit,’ and ‘being pastoral.’ At times, these terms have arisen through the unconscious adoption of the framework of liberation theology, particularly its Marxist flavor.” Liberation Theology Today (What We Need Now – Substack)
Rise of Depression – “In effect, we are attempting to treat a cultural illness characterized with mere advocacy and modern medicine while ignoring the effects of declining community and social cohesion.” The Suicide Epidemic Demands Fresh Solutions (The American Conservative)
Handling of Abuse – “Controversy deepened Saturday over a recent Vatican attempt to reinstate a former priest twice convicted of sexual abuse of minors in Argentina … ” Top Vatican canonist’s comments point to Pope Francis role in Príncipi case (The Pillar)
(*The posting of any particular news item or essay is not an endorsement of the content and perspective of said news item or essay.)
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@ The Synodal Journey
Tucho observed, “There is nothing in the nature of women that prevents them from holding very important positions in the leadership of the Church”, even if absent of ordination.
Finally, one of the sane remarks by DDF prefect Cdl Victor Fernández. Drafters appointed for the final Synod document includes Africa’s traditional, outspoken Cdl Ambongo, the remainder likely a mix of views. Pope Francis expected Dilexit nos scheduled for publication Oct 24 we might expect is intended to provide a personal preferred overview of the select seven committee’s final document. Although the ‘CatholicSat’sSubstack’ essayist found the timing of this expected encyclical curious, it isn’t to those with greater conviction of Francis’ modus operandi. Francis’ emphasis on love and mercy has followed a pattern of softening if not reversal of traditional doctrine.
Although Substack essayist adds, “The cynic in me believes that that document is written already, will focus on a new way of understanding papal primacy emphasizing listening to the people of God by some bureaucratic instruments that already exist”. This is signaled by Cdl Grech, “The human being dies when he feels he has arrived. We too could run the risk of doing as this man did: hoarding what we have collected without reinvesting them”. Translated by Fr James Martin, “that at the first session last year ‘the words disgusting, repulsive, ‘unnatural and sick were used regularly to describe homosexuality”. Translation, homosexuality is beautiful, attractive, natural and healthy. As Pope Francis channeling Virgil in his new encyclical might say, Amor Vincit Omnia.
Can you please explain this, this being “Francis’ emphasis on love and mercy has followed a pattern of softening if not reversal of traditional doctrine.”?
@ Synodal Style of Governance
“Pick one of them, that of the Argentine bishops, for his endorsement. All of that meant that conferences around the world spent time and money engaged in a kind of guessing game about what the Vatican wanted”. Clarity would have ended the conflict. Although by this time shouldn’t we all, bishops, priests, laity realize the opposite of clarity is the intent of the Synod and its direction.
Even if it’s clearly manifest to the naked eye as misdirection.
How to collapse a 2000 year old structure requires a form of perverse genius. Leaving all awaiting something meaningful and conclusive. The guise of breaking legitimate new ground by an endless process designed to create continued inconclusive banter. To accelerate the process what would be more conclusive than bishoprics, regional conferences creating their own confused, contrary speculations for governing what in effect becomes a disparity of governances. Governance is drowning in its own methodology. And not by accident.
“inconclusive banter” seems to be contagious. I hardly know what anyone is getting at today.I keep thinking of Laurel and Hardy, “Who’s on first?.
We’re sick of James Martin. We’re sick of Tuch. We’re sick of Cupich. We’re sick of Grech. We’re sick of Parolin. We’re sick of McElroy. We’re sick of Tobin. We’re sick of Jorge. We’re sick of synodidolatry. We’re sick of Pachamamas. We’re sick of homosexual clergy. We’re sick of new ways ministry. We’re sick of Grammick. The Church in Europe is bleeding out.
Right-on, dear St Peter Damian!
“We are sick of . . .” – of being punished by God in so many ways.
Will we ever learn . . ?
Learn not to be clericalized apparatchiks, addicted to Church functions & functionaries. So often they work to nudge our King, Jesus Christ out of the way!
Let’s mature as uncompromisingly Christ-following Catholics, steeped in His teaching & Life example, that are so very clearly presented to us in the Holy Spirit-anointed New Testament; and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, with its over 3,500 citations from the Apostolic witness.
“MY sheep listen to ME, I know them who follow ME.
I give them Eternal Life, they will never perish.
No one can snatch them from MY HAND.”
Appreciating, too, those sisters & brothers, deacons, priests, bishops, archbishops, & cardinals who are openly persevering CFCs – Christ-following Catholics.
We may be an unpopular minority in today’s Church but we are ‘The Israel of GOD’ & faithful servants of THE LAMB. Such will not lack their reward.
Always in the grace & mercy of King Jesus Christ; love & blessings from marty