LEO AND SYNODALITY (A Silent Implosion?) - Part II in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"

This is the second of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.

Series: The First Year of Leo XIV

II  - LEO AND SYNODALITY

[Part I: Leo and the Germans]

As Pope Leo XIV is approaching the 100 day mark of his pontificate (today is day 97), more and more decisions are coming out which appear indicative of the course of his papacy. Our new Pope is starting to address difficult dilemmas described in Leo XIV: The First 50 Days -- an Analysis.

In this article we outlined many of the challenges Pope Leo faces, quite a few of which are directly related to Francis’ multiyear synodal project plus other reforms and local projects connected to it. Whether to cancel the ecclesial assembly set for 2028 and the process leading up to it, how to deal with local synods in Italy and Ireland, whether to ensure an adequately orthodox African response to the problem of polygamy, and so on.

So far, Pope Leo appears to have alternated between either ensuring a return to orthodoxy behind the scenes, or punting on liberal reforms, not killing them, but leaving their conclusion uncertain. Key curial appointments by Pope Leo will give a more definitive indication of what shape his pontificate will take. Positive patterns do already seem to be slowly emerging, however. 

The ecclesial assembly and the implementation of synodality

Why We Have Not Covered the Synod on Synodality

 

A reader e-mails us to ask why we have not covered the proceedings of this first session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality (the second session will be in the autumn of 2024).

Full Letter by Cardinal Zen to Cardinals and Bishops on the Synod - How can Synodality be a "constitutive element of the Church" when it is clearly a novelty?

 The following letter was sent by His Eminence Cardinal Zen, Emeritus of Hong Kong, to Cardinals and Bishops all over the world. A recipient was kind enough to share this historic document with us.

(Click on each image of the six pages for larger view.)

“The Current Crisis of Faith in the Church Has Its Ground in the New Mass” — Analysis by Fr. Michael Gurtner

The following superb article by Austrian priest Fr. Michael Gurtner appeared in German at the site katholisches.info on November 27, 2022; the translation is published here with permission.—PAK

At present, the modern Church is working to change its internal constitution, transforming itself and by its own initiative from a hierarchical Church, as willed and instituted by God, to a “synodal” (and therefore humanly constructed) Church. In the one and only Church of Jesus Christ, which is the Catholic Church, a process of successive detachment from divine revelation and from Christ Himself has been underway for decades: it is thus a process of self-destruction. The Church is currently tearing itself apart from within. Unfortunately, the question is now very legitimate as to how Catholic the Catholic Church on earth still is. Is it really still as Christ intended and wanted it to be?

Some "Highlights" from the Working Document for the Continental Stage of the Synod on Synodality

You may have heard that the "Working Document for the Continental Stage" of the "Synod on Synodality" was released today. (You may not have heard, in which case, I apologise for this article!) Numerous Catholic news outlets (of varying quality) have already commented on this document, but I thought I would provide a few of my own "highlights" for readers.

1. The document claims that "Globally, participation exceeded all expectations" (n. 5). Given that the participation of even those Catholics who attend Mass has been exceptionally low - something even cardinals have recognised! - this is either a lie, or the expectations were very, very low to begin with!

2. One of the few positives is that the document explicitly says that "it is not a document of the Church’s Magisterium" (n. 8). Thus, when the time inevitably comes, we can just chuck it in the bin and concentrate on more important things in the life of the Church. Deo gratias!

"Women Priests" and "Pride": From the Official Pages of the Synod of Bishops

 

This comes from the official social media pages of the secretariat of the "Synod of Bishops", preparing the tautological Synod on Synodality. The sayings in the 1970s artwork are, "We are the young people of the future and the future is now," and, "Animate this blossoming mission that is larger than any of us. We desire to be on advisory councils to make decisions."

What a fun pontificate this is...