A Crying Out from Cardinal Zen
I have not posted any articles online for a long time. But now I feel that I must write something to help my brothers and sisters in the Lord to understand what is most important thing to pray for in this moment. What I am feeling most anxiously about is how this Synod on “Synodality” can be successfully (decently) concluded, anyone who has read my blog post on February 15 this year will understand.
The theme of the Sixteenth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is “Synodality,” but what exactly is “Synodality”? Based on the etymology of the Greek word “Synod,” it means “walking together;” and then in Chinese, it is translated into “talking together” and “walking together”: (participation, communion and (for the) mission).
But there is a Church document that more adequately explains the meaning of the word Synodality which comes obviously from the important historical Church events, the Synods, the structure through which the Church hierarchy leads the Church through history.
The First Vatican Council affirmed the doctrine of the infallibility of the Pope. However, due to the outbreak of war, that Council could not be completed. The Second Vatican Council emphasized the Collegiality of bishops in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), with a clear explanation. The entire People of God should participate in the mission of evangelization. However, it is the Church hierarchy that ensures the direction of the Church’s journey and preserve the disposit of the faith handed down from the Apostles. Jesus handed over the Church to “the Apostles headed by Peter,” and the Successors of the Apostles are the bishops.
Since the beginning of this Synod, the two cardinals who lead the assembly and the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith did not stress the preservation of the faith, but emphasized changes, especially changes to the Church’s structure and ethical teachings; especially regarding “sex” ethical principles, most of all: same-sex relations.
In 2021, someone asked the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “whether it is allowed to bless same-sex couples.” The answer was “no,” along with a detailed explanation. Pope Francis also signed and confirmed the document.
The documents coming from the Synod Secretariat seemed to imply that this issue would be discussed in the Synod. To avoid wasting discussion time of the Synod, five cardinals raised this issue among other “dubia” (doubts) to the Pope, hoping that he would clearly reconfirm his position in this regard not many years ago.
【By the way, one of those five cardinals is Joseph Zen. I wonder why this world news did not appear in our Chinese and English diocesan weeklies Kung Kao Po and Sunday Examiner! Is it out of fear that the laity would feel shocked or that the Church would split? Are our laypeople like children who cannot judge by themselves? If the Church is divided on this big issue, shouldn’t its members be concerned? Won’t people have their stance? Shouldn’t they participate in the debate? Some Hong Kong Catholics who know Joseph Zen may reprimand him for making things difficult for the Pope, while others may support him in raising the dubia. Isn’t it a good opportunity to help the faithful mature by participating in debates and arguments to find the answer according to our faith? 】
To our surprise, the Pope gave us an answer right the next day. It was a very long and complicated reply that overturned the statement given in previous years, that is, “It is possible to bless the same-sex couples under certain circumstances.” We felt that those complicated reasonings were not valid at all. We asked the Pope to give a “Yes” or “No” answer, but he did not respond anymore. That answer could not have been written by the Pope himself. It was obviously prepared by the persons in charge of the synod, to support their reasons for changing the Church teachings (We five cardinals did not list in detail the reasons to refute those complicated arguments, but I gave a personal detailed answer that can be found on my blog.
This Synod was an unusually large-scale enterprise, with consultation in local Churches, continental Conferences, and finally the formal Synod assembly. At the continental level, it was clear that the central secretariat tightly controls the procedures: sharing is emphasized, while discussion is to be avoided. The same method is used in the official Synod meetings(!). The most surprising thing is that among the synod participants, there are 96 “non-bishops” (equal to 26% of the whole group) who have the right to vote. Obviously, the purpose of this Synod was to overthrow the Church hierarchy and implement a democratic system.
The Pope has the power to convene any kind of advisory meeting. However, the Synod of Bishops initiated by Pope Paul VI was specifically designed to allow the Pope to hear the opinions of his brother bishops. With the “non-bishops” voting together, it is no longer a Synod of Bishops.
Returning to what I said in the beginning, we must pray for the successful (decent) ending of this Synod, I would hope, at least, on the following three points:
First: about the way the meeting is held. Lest people in the future continue to ask: “Is this Synod of Bishops really a synod of bishops?” For this assembly to be appropriately called a synod of bishops, it should return to the original methods used, when the synod was established by Pope Paul VI. These methods have been effective for many, many years: to let the bishops take the lead, discuss and vote, and, as brother bishops, submit their advice to the Pope for reference.
It seems that this first goal can no more be completely realized, the meeting procedures in 2024 are the same as in 2023. They still gathered around round tables, in the warm family gathering; obediently letting the facilitator lead them on how to connect with the Holy Spirit. More praying, more sharing, and less arguing…We can only hope that the participating bishops should exercise the virtue of “parresia” so recommended by the Holy Father, at least not allowing the non-bishops to vote along with them.
Second: What is for the bishops to discuss this time, in 2024? When the Synod of Bishops ended in 2023, it only voted on a “summary report”, without voting on any recommendations. Everyone could see the LGBTQ acronym, which appeared proudly in the Synod documents, did not appear in the summary. However, everyone assumed those issues would still be discussed at the 2024 conference.
Shortly after the end of 2023 session, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a long declaration “Fiducia Supplicans” On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings, noting that clergy may bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances (the rationale was based on the reply to the dubia of the five cardinals, given before the beginning of the 2023 session). The Prefect of the dicastery even said that the declaration was clear enough and he was not prepared to discuss it further. “They” decided on the question, not consulting the bishops still during the Synod. This is incredible arrogance!
After the publication of that declaration, there was a great division in the Church and great confusion among the faithful. It was rare in the history of the Church. 【Of course, the Hong Kong Catholics who read the Kung Kao Po or Sunday Examiner had no chance to hear and talk on the subject!】 The Pope and the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith expressed “understanding” to the situation without retracting the declaration. So, will this issue still be discussed at the 2024 meeting?
Later, the Pope sent a letter to the Secretariat of the Synod, saying that he had entrusted ten “study groups” to examine individual issues arising from the 2023 Synod and they would not submit their “responses” until mid-2025. Does that mean all the issues will not be discussed and voted on at the 2024 Synod?
I think endless debate should be avoided at least on the issue of blessing same-sex couples. I hope the participating bishops can persuade the Pope to extend sine die for the declaration to take effect. Didn’t Jesus say to Peter: “Tu aliquando conversus, confirma fratres tuos” (Once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers).
If this issue is not resolved in the Synod, the future of the Church will be very unclear, because some clergy and friends of the Pope who insist on changing the Church tradition in this regard continue to push forward their plans with all strength. While the Synod is going on, they actively promoted their agenda outside the meeting hall. What is worrying is that even the so-called “New Ways Ministry,” which advocates transgenderism have been very warmly received by the Pope a few days ago.
Third: Without individual questions to debate, the Synod discussion will focus on the Synodality of the Church. I’m afraid this is tantamount to discussing whether the faithful should have more rights to “share” the responsibilities of the “pastors” in the Hierarchy. If those advocating for this change cannot win at the level of the whole Church, will they then fight for diversity among local churches? Should individual bishops’ conferences have an independent authority over the doctrine of the faith? This is a scary prospect. If this idea succeeds, we will no longer be the Catholic Church (the Church of England has recognized same-sex marriage, and their believers have become a minority of less than 20% of the global Anglican Church. How can we not be vigilant?).
It is useless for us to be anxious over these issues. Fast and pray (especially the Rosary)! Hope will never get disappointed.
[Source: Personal page]
