The following comes from an Oct. 15 article by Father D. Vincent Twomey on Catholic World Report.
This Synod is extraordinary in more ways than one. It is extra-ordinary in the simple sense of being merely preparatory to the actual or ordinary Synod that will take place in twelve months’ time.
But the Synod is also extraordinary in the more colloquial sense of the term (i.e. being rather strange). Cardinal Kasper’s address to the February Consistory in preparation for the Synod set the agenda. It was widely publicized in various languages and actively promoted by the author in interviews and talks around the world. It expressed his life-long campaign to allow divorced and civilly remarried faithful receive Holy Communion in certain restricted circumstances. He has not come up with one convincing answer to the theological critique that has been made of his essentially casuistic position. The issue of remarried divorcees is a real pastoral problem in Western Europe and North America but is not the only one, nor the most pressing one. And yet it became the focus of an intense pre-synodal debate, distracting attention from more central issues such as widespread cohabitation, child welfare, and pornography in the West, polygamy in Africa, or interreligious marriage in Asia. What is most strange is that the whole area of so-called artificial reproduction (IVF, surrogacy, etc.) never surfaced in any report.
Secondly, the lack of openness and transparency at the Synod is extraordinary. Unlike previous Synods, where summaries of each contributor’s paper were made available, and the full texts could be requested, total secrecy was imposed—apart from the (generally impressive) testimonies given by married couples at the opening of each session. The Bishops were informed that their own contributions were the property of the Synod, and so could not be made public. Instead, a “summary” of the day’s proceeding was presented by the Holy See’s press spokesman accompanied by select Cardinals and Bishops. From the very outset, it became clear to this observer that we were only hearing one side of whatever discussion might have taken place.
Confirmation of the fact that the voice of those who opposed the proposed agenda was ignored or silenced was the secret ballot to elect the moderators of the smaller language group discussions. The majority of those elected were known opponents of Cardinal Kasper’s agenda: Cardinal Raymond Burke, for example, was the first to be elected. Their election evidently caught the organizers off guard – but they reacted quickly. Moderators would normally have the task of drawing up the official recommendations. But within days, Pope Francis unexpectedly appointed five other Bishops (three from Latin America) and one priest—the Jesuit Superior General—to write the final recommendations, thus bypassing the moderators.
The most extraordinary, and alarming, aspect of the Synod to date was the report on the first week’s discussions presented by Cardinal Erdö last Monday. At the press conference presenting the report, Archbishop Bruno Forte stressed that those who drew up the report were “a team of heroes”. In other words, they had shown real courage. What kind of courage? It turns out to be the courage to say what the world would like them to say in opposition to the opinion of a significant number of bishops. This is hardly the courage which St Paul advocated. As Joseph Ratzinger once wrote: “The apostle’s frankness consists of saying the truth in a world dominated by appearance, even though it involves him in conflict [with the world].” The content of the second report caused widespread dismay—not to say a deep sense of betrayal—among faithful Catholics.
“What rang out clearly in the Synod was the necessity for courageous pastoral choices,” the report claims. These choices were presented in terms of “the law of gradualness”, the only reference to the rich teaching of St Pope John Paul II, otherwise ignored by the Synod. But it is used in a way that contradicts what he meant.
According to American theologian, Father Dominic Legge, OP, some voices at the last Synod on the Family (1980) had claimed that, in difficult cases, one could commit to “gradually” relinquishing a gravely sinful practice (like contraception) and return immediately to the sacraments, even while intending to continue committing individual sinful acts in some (diminishing) measure. John Paul II clearly rejected this argument. Married couples, he wrote, “cannot . . . look on the law as merely an ideal to be achieved in the future: they must consider it as a command of Christ the Lord to overcome difficulties with constancy. And so what is known as ‘the law of gradualness’ or step-by-step advance cannot be identified with ‘gradualness of the law,’ as if there were different degrees or forms of precept in God’s law for different individuals and situations.” (Familiaris Consortio no. 34.) But the latter is what Cardinal Erdö’s report advocates.
There is nothing very courageous about offering “pastoral” recommendations that fail to challenge a world that still bears the scars of the sexual revolution of the 1960s. How courageous is it to stress only the positive aspects of so many tragic pastoral situations at the expense of the negative? How could it be courageous to unsettle profoundly those faithful Catholics who, to quote one layman, ” are clinging to Christ’s teaching on marriage and chastity by their finger-tips”?None of the recommendations could compare with the real moral courage demanded of any priest who, faithful to Church teaching, tries to lead sinners to the truth and so to God’s mercy and forgiveness – or preach in those terms.
It is gravely irresponsible on the part of the Synod to cause further confusion in a pastoral situation that, in the absence of little authentic instruction on the part of bishops and priests over the past forty years, is causing havoc in people’s lives. That havoc was reflected in the worldwide survey conducted by the Vatican in preparation for the Synod. In my opinion, that havoc is the direct result of the rejection of the Church’s teaching on sexuality in the wake of Humanae Vitae by most moral theologians and several Bishops’ Conferences. That teaching is referred to (ambiguously) at the conclusion of his report by Cardinal Erdö, as though it were an afterthought, while in truth it is the main bone of contention. All the pastoral problems in this area arise from the rejection of that teaching. The beatification of Pope Paul VI next Sunday will, hopefully, provoke a new appreciation of his courageous and prophetic teaching.
Of the many glaring omissions in the reports (e.g. chastity is not mentioned once), the most striking is the absence of any reference to holiness as the goal of all Church teaching and pastoral practice. Cardinal Erdö’s report does mention sanctity once—albeit in passing—but otherwise it is exclusively concerned with assuaging people’s feelings by showing sympathy to every possible irregular situation. This might help overcome the negative image of the Church’s teaching on sexuality, and as such would be welcome, were it not in fact scandalous, in the strict sense of leading people astray from God (cf. Mt 18:6). Sad to say, the Synod’s (now not-so-hidden) agenda feeds into a bigger agenda, which is that of a secular society that threatens the traditional family to its very foundations. Even that is secondary. What is at stake, ultimately, is the Church’s mission to guide people to union with God in Christ: holiness.
The day after the report was published, the topic chosen by the Peruvian Archbishop, Salvador Pineiro Garcia-Calderon for his homily that morning, was, significantly, holiness. It was a most timely intervention in what is, indeed, an extraordinary Synod.
To read the original article, click here.
Positive correlation between homosexual sex abuse and acceptance of homosexuality: study
Paul Cameron says he has found evidence that wherever social and political attitudes towards homosexuality are more positive, sex crimes against minors with a homosexual element are more numerous.
In a new study based on Google News reports, controversial family values crusader Paul Cameron says he has found evidence that wherever social and political attitudes towards homosexuality are more positive, sex crimes against minors with a homosexual element are more numerous.
Cameron, who is head of the Family Research Institute based in Colorado Springs, released his findings in Rome last week, hoping to influence the Extraordinary Synod on the Family that has Catholic leaders from around the world in the Eternal City.
“The Catholic Church is doing something very important,” Cameron told LifeSiteNews. “We hope they will look at this information. I supposed I’d be considered an Evangelical Protestant but what happens in Christendom as a whole matters to me.”
Cameron’s research team analyzed 3,000 news reports taken from Google News about sexual molestations reported from countries such as China, Taiwan, Russia, Moldova, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Union in toto, Canada and the U.S.
Cameron says the study revealed a clear and positive correlation between how acceptable homosexuality was across the range of countries and the proportion of sexual crimes that were homosexual…
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/positive-correlation-between-homosexual-sex-abuse-and-acceptance-of-homosex
Welcome to all Happy & Joyful Catholics to this truly Extraordinary Synod – and please don’t let the Radical Homosex Harpies turn it in to a Misandrist Hate Fest against Men, or endorsement of the Pathological Conga Line of Buggery:
‘Gay Catholic’ groups converge on Rome for Synod on the Family
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/gay-catholics-groups-converge-on-rome-for-synod-on-the-family?
” The problem is, she says, that “we’ve never implemented the great advice offered in 1986.”
Penned by then-Cardinal Ratzinger, and published by order of Pope John Paul II, the 1986 Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons encouraged Bishops to provide pastoral care in full accord with the teaching of the Church for homosexual persons of their dioceses.
“No authentic pastoral programme will include organizations in which homosexual persons associate with each other without clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin,” the document said.
“But we wish to make it clear that departure from the Church’s teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral.
“Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral.”
Has the Synod received their subpoena yet? CMTV Says that the Members themselves are not being shown ‘working documents’ before they are leaked to the lamesteam media, so why not subpoena them too?
“City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons
The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor.
And those ministers who fail to comply could be held in contempt of court.
“The city’s subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented,” Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christina Holcomb said in a statement.
“The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions.”
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/14/city-houston-demands-pastors-turn-over-sermons/
What a surprisingly good article. Why surprising? Because we now have a Pope that has sent out a strong message — mess with me and my Liberal pals (Dolan, Wuerl, Maradiaga, Cupich, Forte, and so many more) and you will get put down. The Synod, all the time, was a set-up — and not a very artful one — to infuse the evils of sexual deviancy, through the Catholic Church, to the world; informally, perhaps, but through the Church.
The intented result has already been achieved, as publication after publication now trumpets that the Church is changing towards homosexual sexual practices. And, how can they not get this view from the Relatio, which states, at Para. 50, “Homosexuals have gifts and qualties to offer to the Christian Community”. What gifts, one asks, come from the nature of sodomy and evil fornication?
One wonders about Abp. Forte, and Francis, too. Do they actually think that Catholics are simply stupid? That Catholics can ever be convinced that homosexuals have anything, from the nature of their sexual practices, to “offer” anyone? The Pope is really at fault here. Francis set this up, or gave the nod to others setting up the attack on centuries of Church values. Remember that Popes are not “infallible” in anything save a very narrow area, and the Relatio is not it. Sadly, Francis is showing his true nature to the world, and it is not a good one, not at all.
My unbelieving husband told me today…”it begins from the top down…look to the top” after I had given him a brief synopsis of this weeks synod events. Only Cd Burke seems to understand this. The cardinals trying to slide something contrary to Church teaching were all hand picked! So devious. So upsetting and causing such confusion. For Shame!!!
“…The cardinals trying to slide something contrary to Church teaching were all hand picked!”
That’s why it is so important to know the Faith – and seek out good and holy priests. Ones that actually have the Faith. The nonsense that goes on at the parish level is there because it is allowed to be there at far higher levels. And not just because it is too much of a bother to deal with. Many seemingly idiotic military decisions are done precisely in line with a particular strategy. Hence a holy priest who speaks up is gagged, shunted off, demoted or demonized.
Your husband may not be a ‘believer’ as of yet, but he has eyes to see. And that is a blessing. Just give it time. He may be won over in a triumph of Tradition….
God bless.
Thanks Ann ! You’re very thoughtful. I’ve been praying for many years…he’s bound to crack eventually. Ha.
At least he’s supportive of my going to Mass though he’s pretty anti-Catholic. And you’re so right about his”eyes to see”. It keeps me on my toes, I can tell you!
The father of a devout family I know kept them on the line for nearly 50 years – 50 years for the wife, that is. Consistency in living, navigating hard times – those in the Church and home – and pure confidence, Dana. This wife/mom was immovable. Fun, joyful, but serious as the OT when it came to matters of Faith.
From what I’ve read, you’re following that same pattern.
God bless!
Dana: My husband is a convert. He always tells me that he didn’t convert because the Mass was no different than what his Protestant church was. It wasn’t until he saw the Tridentine Mass that he converted. He never knew this but I put a green scapular under his mattress when he still lived at home and when we got married I put the green scapular under his side of the bed mattress. Get a green scapular, have it blessed, and put it under his side of the bed mattress and just pray for him. It took awhile, but he converted. It can’t hurt to try!
RR: We used the Green Scapular, too. Thanks for reminding one and all!
God bless.
Wow. I will do that RR and Ann.! Thank you!
Malley you don’t have any leg to stand on when you pretend to know what goes on at the parish level. You have abandoned the Roman Church and every single one of its parishes!
God love you, mous, keep trying. But the cats are out of the bag and there’s no rounding them up, no matter who you try to pin. Look to yourself, mous, and your intentions. They are not to spread the Faith, at least not judging by what you post.
That said, if you attempt to quiet the voices of those with their senses still intact, even the rocks themselves will cry out. But even though you’re wrong about my ‘legs’, there is often much to be said for an outside observation. Judgments are not clouded by personal bias.
So whereas you may charge that I have no legs, the legs you have are paralyzed, so they do not serve the purpose of legs, do they?
“RELATIO post disceptationem”
Unofficial Translation – Oct. 13, 2014 from the Vatican web site.
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/13/0751/03037.html
These are some of the offending paragraphs in “Relatio post disceptationem”
# 20, 47 & 48, 50 – 52.
(No mention is made of mortal sin, need for repentance for salvation of the Soul, or firm purpose of amendment not to sin again. )
“Undignified, shameful and completely wrong”: Cardinal Müller, the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has called the controversial midterm report of the ongoing Synod of Bishops –
https://www.gloria.tv/media/wMkkQ2nA7Wb
Document Gate
https://churchmilitant.tv/daily/?today=2014-10-16
“….. let us ask ourselves if we have actually taken a few steps to get to know Christ and the truths of faith more,
by reading and meditating on the Scriptures,
studying the Catechism,
steadily approaching the Sacraments.” – Pope Francis, May 15, 2013.
Has Pope Francis changed his mind already ? ? ? ? ? :(
It is not Pastoral, nor Charitable, nor Merciful to affirm or condone anyone in Mortal Sin of any kind.
The purpose of the Church must be to help Souls get to Heaven for eternity, not assist in sending them to Hell.
Jesus’s mercy requires repentance, and resolution not to sin again.
Choosing to continue to live in the state of mortal sin, should not be rewarded.
Taken from:
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/10/cardinal-pell-interview-on-synod-video.html
Cardinal Pell interview on the Synod – video: – Synod says no to ‘secular agenda’ (of the first ‘relatio’)
Remember, by the way, that Cardinal Pell, Holy See Secretary for the Economy, will celebrate a Pontifical High Mass, open to everyone but in particular dedicated to the young Catholics of Juventutem as part of the Populus Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage on Friday next week (October 24), at the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, Rome.
I have a sneaking suspicion that our good Pope Frances is not being led by the Holy Spirit in this synod. I am afraid that if he declines to judge mortal sin, then he will, himself, be judged. Does he have an insidious agenda to allow evil into the Church, thereby poisoning the well of Truth for the faithful? Or not? Time will tell.
“..an insidious agenda”. It wouldn’t be the first time in Church history that a Pope was elected who sought to subvert Church teachings to his own agenda, or used his high office to promote an unholy agenda, and caused great scandal in the process. While most of the Popes were men of exceptionally good character, there were a few who disgraced the office, and caused untold harm to the Church. The Church always coped with the situation, however, and the Holy Spirit manifested Himself in ways that showed He was protecting the Church. If your suspicions are confirmed, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will again manifest His guidance in the Church.
The Church has done NOTHING, since Vatican II and the wayward 1960’s, to teach and preach sexual morality and maturity, and to build up and strengthen Catholic homes and families! The Church never teaches CHASTITY any more, either! Before Vatican II, a Catholic Wedding was sacred, and the bride and groom were always brought up solidly in the faith and morals of their Church! They were usually obedient, chaste, got married young, and had big families! The Faith has never changed, and never will! It is very ancient, since the time of Christ! The 1960’s evil youth rebellion was a big waste of time! You cannot build a Church on these rebellious people! Church leaders, at that time, should have LAUGHED at them all! They should have told these rebellious people, “NO!” and many troublemakers in the clergy and laity, should have all been EXCOMMUNICATED!! FORGET THEM!! The Church is not a silly, secular SOCIAL CLUB!! Go find the TRUE Catholics, and build a True Church with them!
I grew up before the 60’s, very involved in youth groups, Newman Clubs, etc.. I can assure you that there were no priest getting up in the pulpit on Sunday talking about sex and chastity. Even back then people were deciding on their own how many kids to have. That is the time when most individuals had as good an education as the priests and decided to make their own decisions about family size. My observation is that for good or evil, the 60’s were not only a time of revolution in our country but also a time of revolution in our Church. If the Pope had not called V II, some other event would have brought about change. It is hard to imagine how the Priest tried to control people. It was about control, not faith. The “people” didn’t rebel until the hierarchy rebelled.
“Bob One”: You and all Liberals just do not quit, do you? No, Vatican II was not a good event for the Church and for the many people that were led astray in the time of its awful implementation (which is still going on). The time before Vatican II revolved around questions of Faith, with a focus on salvation. Too bad you saw nothing but “power” in the Church’s then-focus on teaching about sin and repentance.
In fact, you sound a lot like novelist and sometimes priest, Andrew Greeley, who said that Vatican II was not perfect but that it would have been far worse if it did not happen. That logic is nothing more than a political argument for continued power, rather than anything bearing on the Faith. Politicians say all the time, “aren’t you better off now than under President X?”
A priest teaches about sin, how to avoid it, how to best please God, how to find Christ through Mary. A priest does not teach about welcoming homosexual sexualist, who commit a mortal sin every time they engage in sodomy. Nor does a priest teach about the “gifts” of adulterers, or thieves, or tax avoiders, and how we must all accept them.
Yet, this kind of thinking is what Vatican II implementation brought to us. Vacuous ramblings, confusion about Church doctrine, a moving away from the awe of the Faith and towards a hootenanny approach to liturgy and a Protestant view of life. Vatican II was a true revolution, but one that ultimately lead away from the Catholic Faith and towards a worship of Man’s unrestrained appetites. All that is lacking, now, is some kind of sacramental blessing for all kinds of vile behavior, but Rome — under Francis — is trying very hard to provide this.
Yes Bob One and the so called revolution has consumed its own
The world according to Bob1.
And in my circles, Dana, people wonder how I can be so orthodox in my faith. My world says that Christ died for our sins. That we are on this earth to prepare ourselves for heaven and our reunification with God. My world is spelled out in the Bible and the CCC. Given that, I still have questions about the best way to teach the faith, work with the poor, live our faith in this mad culture that is northern California, and it goes on. I had hoped that the Synod would have been able to find ways to help increase the effectiveness of family life, how to approach people who are in irregular relationships and teach them about Christ and his message. Didn’t happen did it?
The question must be asked and answered – am I (the Diocese Bishop and Parish Priest) trying to reach the vast majority or merely a small minority who are willing to attend a parish class ?
The best way to teach the vast majority of Catholics in the USA is to publically and frequently encourage them to read the Bible and CCC at home.
Most people can not or will not attend classes at their parish. But they can always find 30 minutes at home to read on most days.
Bibles and the CCC are even available as apps – and can be read in the dentist’s or doctor’s waiting rooms.
(Their pastor should be able to answer any questions they may have from their readings. But most passages are self explanatory.)
When literate people know their Faith accurately and completely, they can pass on the truth to their children, and to the illiterate.
“….. let us ask ourselves if we have actually taken a few steps to get to know Christ and the truths of faith more,
by reading and meditating on the Scriptures,
studying the Catechism,
steadily approaching the Sacraments.” – Pope Francis, May 15, 2013.
“….the CATECHISM has raised throughout the world, even among non-Christians, and confirms its purpose of being presented as a full, complete exposition of Catholic doctrine, enabling everyone to know what the Church professes, celebrates, lives, and prays in her daily life.” – Pope John Paul II (CCC pg xiv)
Bob, as we know the Synod will not be over until next year so we don’t know the outcome. But there is need for prayer and concern.
Because many Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests do not teach the Faith by encouraging reading the Bible (and the CCC), we must do so.
Some Cardinals are pushing the HERESY of “GRADUALISM” – condoning or affirming someone in their mortal sin and allowing them to receive Holy Communion unworthily – so they will become or stay Catholics.
This violates God’s Commandments, teachings of Jesus and Sacred Scripture, etc. It aids and abets and encourages them in their mortal sin. It throws the Bible and CCC under the bus.
There is no sanctifying grace for those who choose to remain in mortal sin. Jesus is very clear that to obtain mercy we must repent, “go and sin no more”.
We must not be concerned about what others in our parish or area are doing, we will have to answer to God, and therefore we must do what is right.
” Didn’t happen did it?”… yes it did not.. Thanks be to Christ and Cardinal Burke
“…That is the time when most individuals had as good an education as the priests and decided to make their own decisions…”
Bob One, in light of what you wrote above, I cannot help but believe that the BEST way to spread the Gospel is to continue to live it and preach it without compromise. The why being, people are not so uneducated as to not understand – at lest on the surface – that all that was supposedly going to happen at the Synod was a repackaging job of doctrine. IOW: If the doctrines weren’t going to change, what’s the big deal?
If, however, as was hoped by many the doctrines were going to change (which cannot happen) then again, what’s the point? If the Church is based on shifting sand intended to draw people in, then where is the security or solidity of the message, where is the Truth, if the sand can shift depending upon where folks are in any certain era?
Either way, it can be perceived as pandering to the crowds. Especially by those with an education. And pandering is always a turnoff. Quiet living, sound and unshifting principles, and true charity even amid persecution is highly attractive however as Truth shines through in it – it doesn’t have to be ‘sold’ like some fish at a hawker stall.
That’s the kind of witness than draws the attention of the true seeker. For those who seek shall find. Those who couldn’t care less won’t really care in the long term either no matter what the repackaging/advertising campaign.
“Didn’t happen, did it?”
The Bob One’s and the Cardinal Kasper’s within the Church plan and scheme and God Laughs
The gates of hell are rattling but the gates of hell will not prevail. “In The End My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph!”
“as was hoped by many the doctrines were going to change?”
If you are talking about the Extraordinary Synod of the Family, the changing of doctrines was not even on the table.
Do you not know what a doctrine is?
I’m glad I don’t listen to what Mike says. Gradualism, while not a doctrine of the church, is not heresy. Gradualism is not what Mike says it is. Gradualism is the notion that Christ perfects all things under him. That one doesn’t suddenly wake up one day and accept all that 2 centuries of Church teaching has had to say hook line and sinker. Basically, nobody does that. Discipleship is a journey, and if you could get to that destiny on day one, then the world would look very different than it does today. To say nothing of our Church. Where the Synod Fathers were grappling with is the allowances that ought to be made for the fact that people don’t wake up 100% in line with Church teaching. This is simply a reality. If someone is, say, 98% of the way there, you would have them not yet enter the Church. You would call them a mortal sinner (even though you yourself might actually be sinning much more severely and much more frequently). The Church is simply trying to figure out the most reasonable way to work with those people who are on the journey to healing, but have not yet received the full healing presence of Christ. This is hardly heresy.
Excellent post Ann Malley!
“…If someone is, say, 98% of the way there, you would have them not yet enter the Church. You would call them a mortal sinner (even though you yourself might actually be sinning much more severely and much more frequently).”
Receiving Holy Communion is not an outward sign of entering the Church, YFC. Entering the Church is entering the Church. Being properly disposed, however, is something we all are tasked with doing prior to receiving Our Lord. Not receiving Holy Communion while in a state of mortal sin is, at the very least, an acknowledgement of understanding the concept of sin which, in itself, is a huge leap in coming ’round 100%. That is those abstaining outwardly show that they ‘get it’ 100%, but are still not quite well disposed.
To say that, “…but have not yet received the full healing presence of Christ,” seems to imply that human beings have no free will whatsoever and will automatically yield to being ‘healed’ if they receive Communion. If such were the case, there would have been no voting in of abortion in this country, no push for legalizing that which goes against God’s laws, etc. For many who are pushing for such sinful laws are receiving ‘the healing presence of Christ’ regularly.
So let’s be clear. Take some personal responsibility. And not make Our Lord out to be a magician instead of a loving Creator who gives us the free will to love/follow Him or not.
The latest from heretic Cardinal Kasper – he wants the Church teaching to be different in different parts of the world; and he does not want Black African Cardinals to participate in Church teaching regarding the west.
Statement on Cardinal Kasper Interview – with Kasper’s own voice.
https://edwardpentin.co.uk/statement-on-cardinal-kasper-interview/
With a Cardinal like Kasper, no wonder Germany is such a mess when it comes to the Catholic Faith.
The Bible and the CCC are for ALL Catholics throughout the world.
The teachings of Jesus and His Catholic Church are “universal”, not country by country.
Ava, thank you for providing a good and reliable source. Well done!
It is NOT “Pastoral”, nor “Charitable”, nor “Merciful” to condone or confirm anyone in their Mortal Sins.
Helping to send Souls to Hell is not the job of Christ’s Church.
The latest heresy being pushed by some Cardinals at the “SinNod” is that of “gradualism”. If you fully accept (including giving them Holy Communion) those who choose to continue living in the state of mortal sin, they will “gradually” change their ways.
What baloney !
It is the job of Diocese Bishops and their Priests to teach the TRUTH completely (not selectively);
correct the sinner;
and when necessary discipline those who are obstinate in mortal sin.
Pope Francis’ Dilemma 10-17 (regarding Synod)
https://churchmilitant.tv/daily/?today=2014-10-17\
BOOK –
” REMAINING IN THE TRUTH OF CHRIST ”
MARRIAGE AND COMMUNION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH edited by Robert Dodaro, O.S.A. In this volume five cardinals of the Church,
and four other scholars, respond to the call issued by Walter Cardinal Kasper for the Church to harmonize “fidelity and mercy in its pastoral practice with civilly remarried, divorced people”.
The contributors bring their wealth of knowledge and expertise to bear upon this question, concluding that the Bible and the Church Fathers do not support this kind of “toleration” of civil marriages following divorce. Paperback. 304 pages.
The contributors are Walter Cardinal Brandmüller; Raymond Cardinal Burke; Carlo Cardinal Caffarra; Velasio Cardinal De Paolis, C.S.; Robert Dodaro, O.S.A.; Paul Mankowski, S.J.; Gerhard Cardinal Müller; John M. Rist; and Archbishop Cyril Vasil’, S.J.
Gloria TV –
https://www.gloria.tv/media/DW3QpXsBFhy
The blog Rorate Caeli has a great interview with His Grace the Great Cardinal Raymond Burke, he states that yes Bergoglio demoted him and that the Pope needs to state Church teaching and has caused great harm to The Church. Stunning and very brave of him, this is truly a Prince of the Church who will now be crucified by Rome, my prediction is that Burke will be our next Holy Father who will save the Church and restore the Traditional Latin Mass!!!!!!
Great post, Janek! I have always told our Archbishop and his auxiliary bishops– “Cardinal Burke for Pope! He’s the best!” And yes– he is also wonderfully supportive, of our beautiful, old Tridentine Latin Mass! He has also ordained many priests, for all-Latin Mass religious orders, like the Institute of Christ the King!
Too bad Cardinal Burke also gave an interview to the very pro-gay BuzzFeed. I fear he’s not who he seems to be.
More from SinNod –
https://cmtvnews.com/2014/10/17/breaking-pope-harming-the-church/
“CBS Drives Away ‘Anti-Gay’ Catholics
https://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2014/10/17/cbs-drives-away-antigay-catholics-n1906268/page/full
…”Blue Bloods” deals with an Irish-Catholic family of cops, headed by New York police commissioner Frank Reagan, played by Selleck. Some Catholics became fans of the show as a rare portrayal of a church-attending Catholic family dealing with today’s thorny issues.Editor’s note: This piece was co-authored by Tim Graham.
Some controversial topics lend themselves to debate. But the Hollywood left has another view of its pet causes. There is no moral relativism. There is right and there is wretchedly wrong.
On Oct. 10, someone at CBS pushed for a Very Special Episode on homosexuality — and the allegedly horrific Catholic stance on it…
A reporter — clearly speaking for Hollywood — sneers at the top cop: “The Catholic Church condemns homosexuality as a sin, and the commissioner is famously Catholic. How do you line up your anti-gay faith with your role as an equal-opportunity employer?” Selleck’s character replies: “What my men and women do in private is their own business.”
The reporter shoots back: “So you only condemn homosexuality on Sunday?” All Selleck’s character can offer is, “Well, I do believe the church is a little behind the times on this. But then, I still miss the Latin Mass; so next question.”
This clumsy non sequitur spurred the rest of the show’s plot. The producer wheels in a new character, Cardinal Brennan — a stand-in for Cardinal Dolan of New York…
At CBS, the kangaroo court convenes, and the defendant is guilty before the episode is even written. It’s an eyebrow-raiser when a network knowingly drives a program’s natural audience away because it can’t help but scratch a persistent leftist itch.
A poster on another CCD thread said it all: “Go and Sin no more is optional”.
This is based upon the Oct 13 interim document posted on the Vatican web site: “Relatio post disceptationem”.
Paragraphs # 20, and # 46 – 49, and #50 – 52 are in violation of Sacred Scripture and about 15% of Church teaching in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition.
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/13/0751/03037.html
“GO and SIN NO MORE”, “REPENT” with the purpose to not sin again to receive God’s Mercy,
and, NEED for CONFESSION are out the window.
What God has stated apparently is not important any more to many Cardinals and possibly the Pope. (The Pope allowed the document to be posted on the Vatican web site, and has not clarified Church teaching regarding this interim document.)
“Thou shall not commit Adultery” – GOD’s Commandment Ex 20:14 ; Deut 5:18.
“Thou shall not covet thy Neighbor’s wife” – GOD’s Commandment Ex 20:17 ; Deut 5.20.
Teachings of JESUS about divorce and remarriage – Mk 10:6-12; Mt 5:32.
Teaching of JESUS about adultery, mercy, and required repentance – “Go and Sin no more” Jn 8:11.
St Paul – 1 Cor 11:27-30 about condemnation for receiving Holy Communion unworthily.
CCC: ” 81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.”
Also:
Gen 19:1-29; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10; Jude 1:7
According to the MDF: Mike’s Doctrine of the Faith.
Anonymous, you are indeed ignorant of the Catholic Faith, or any Christian Faith for that matter.
Those are exact references to Sacred Scripture, not someone’s personal opinions.
When liberals (heretics) can not win a debate, they attack the messenger, rather than debate the facts.
Of course nothing in those paragraphs is a violation of Scripture or the teachings of the Church.
Stop lying YFC.
The Oct 13 interim report was in direct violation of those Holy Scripture passages quoted.
,
YFC, are you having trouble with your eye sight ?
The following is correct.
“A poster on another CCD thread said it all: “Go and Sin no more is optional”.
This is based upon the Oct 13 interim document posted on the Vatican web site: “Relatio post disceptationem”.
Paragraphs # 20, and # 46 – 49, and #50 – 52 are in violation of Sacred Scripture and about 15% of Church teaching in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition.
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/13/0751/03037 “
This synod was called to help prepare the Church fathers to deal with Family issues when they meet in Synod next October. A great number of people on this site have expressed their shock and dismay at the tentative first draft of the conclusions of the discussions at the end of the first week. And, perhaps rightfully so. Another way to look at this synod is that the media took control of it and reported what they wanted to say rather than what it actually said. For the members of the synod, there was a high level of responsibility to deal with the issue of family life in the world. The Ozzie and Harriet family lives only in the mind of older middle class Americans. What about the rest of the world. In our country 40% of all children are born to unwed mothers. 50% of marriages end in divorce. Gay marriage is allowed in nearly all states. Most under-thirty kids live together for a long time before even thinking about marriage. In some parts of the world widows are assigned to other men in the village, women are being killed by male relatives because they spoke to a non-family male and brought dishonor on the family. The teachings of the church, based on the responses of Catholics from all over the world, are pretty well not known or understood, etc. So, the Church fathers were charged with discussing and coming up with some ideas about how to deal with families in the modern and not so modern world. That has to be a challenge. And, they talked about more than gay issues and divorced people going to communion. Let’s give them some slack. Let’s give Pope Francis some slack as well. When was the last time a Pope called a synod and asked everyone to speak their mind and not worry about what he thought on the subject..In past synods the Pope sat in a side room out of view and did not participate. And, we have a year to discuss some of the suggestions and pray about them. But, it should be above us to call people nasty names simply because they disagree with us. Leave that to talk-radio.
Bob One always the defender of the modern world but the teachings of the Church. So if gay marriage is allowed in every state in the union and country on earth should the Church change her doctrine to suit those who are intrinsically disordered…Pray to end the Synod
Good question Canisius! Simple answer: No the church should not change its teachings or dogma. But, it must find new ways to communicate with people and welcome people into the house of God. That is what this Synod is all about. How to deal with the ever quickly changing culture. The culture has moved faster than the church has been able to shape it. Much of that is because it uses such antiquated communications techniques. For example, some parishes are just now getting on facebook, not knowing that people that they want to attract, young, have already moved on to snapchat and other technology. As a result they are not shaping the debate, the culture is shaping it.
“The culture has moved faster than the church has been able to shape it.” – This is true.
Why ?????
Because far too many Diocese Bishops and their Priests do not actively, prominently, and frequently promote the reading of the Bible and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” for every literate Catholic over age 15.
If the majority of the Laity accurately knew their Faith in entirety, there would have been no need for a Synod.
A parish and others can be on all forms of media, and if they teach little, they will get little in return.
I have to laugh about evangelization by most Laity, because most Laity do not know their Faith accurately and in entirety.
Since I have a do nothing Diocese Bishop and parish Priest, both the Bible and CCC have been lifesavers to me.
I should have said that both the Bible and CCC have been a Soul Saver to me.
Btw I read about the CCC on a lay blog site from someone posting, not from my Bishops or Priest. You see nothing encouraging us to read these on their Diocese web sites or parish bulletin, like the Bible and CCC do not even exist. Some of my Protestant friends are starting to read the CCC, and they can correct errant Catholics. on what the Church teaches.
For more info on the CCC, and quotes from our Popes about the CCC (which you will not find on your Diocese web sites that are supposed to be teaching) – go to:
“What Catholics REALLY Believe SOURCE”
https://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com/
Bob One, here’s is something neither you nor this Synod even mentioned, Carry Your Cross, being Catholic is not and never meant to be easy. How about mentioning repentance and turning away from sin and cooperating with God’s Grace…What you and the rest of the liberals have always wanted … affirmation of sin, much like what the mainline protestant sects have done. Not going to happen, at the Synod we saw an awesome conservative backlash and may that backlash continue…
Bob One, you must be kidding.
There are Catholic bloggers all over the internet.
In fact, I would have never heard about the CCC, if it were not for Catholic bloggers.
My ignorance of its existence was due to my Bishop and Parish Priest not telling anyone about it, and yes I go to Mass every Sunday.
When are Bishops and Priests going to get off their duffs and start telling people where they can read/learn about the Good News ?
I watched a rerun of Mother Angelica on EWTN. She encouraged everyone to read the Bible and CCC.
With only an 11th grade education, I thought this might be a problem for me. I was surprised how easy it all was once I got into it.
After my reading I came back to the Church after 15 years of being away.
God bless Mother Angelica for leading us, and the Church for giving each of us the Bible and CCC.
Wonderful, Larry! Welcome home.
great witness Larry!
https://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-speech-at-the-conclusion-of-the-synod
Here Pope Francis gives the concluding sermon and shows why he was chosen by the Holy Spirit to be Pope.
The Holy Spirit does not pick the pope, Anonymous. Cardinals do.
Ann Malley, Why did the Cardinals, not being influenced by the Holy Spirit, elect Pope Frances. Fundamentalist orthodoxy reins supreme. Why didn’t this majority elect Cardinal Burke or someone like him?
Joan, there have been 12 corrupt Popes. They were not chosen by the Holy Spirit.
Pope Alexander VI the corrupt and evil father of illegitimate Lucrezia Borgia and others, and playboy Pope Benedict IX are included.
Alexander VI actually purchased some of the votes to make himself Pope (bribery).
Popes are human beings who sin, and can make errors.
Christ’s chosen 12 Apostles were sinners – 11 repented.
You will find nothing in the Bible or in any Church document that guarantees all Popes, all Cardinals, or all Bishops will get to Heaven.
Joan, I can only posit that the Cardinals acted by way of free will, self will, or perhaps under the pressures exerted by the will of others. Some may have acted under what they believed to be the influence of the Holy Ghost.
It is just that, in the wash, the individuals, that is the Cardinals, exercised ‘their’ will. Much like a person does when he/she gets married. We can pray before hand and ask for guidance, but the ‘choice’ and the consent is an act of the will. The idea that the Holy Ghost is doing the voting seems, to me, like the old excuse, ‘The Devil ‘made’ me do it,’ only in reverse. It’s a negation of culpability of free will.
As for ‘fundamentalist orthodoxy reins supreme’ I have no idea what you mean.
Anonymous, were the 12 corrupt Popes chosen by the Holy Spirit as well in your personal view ?
Just to name 2, Pope Alexander VI (Borgia) who fathered Lucrezia Borgia and others plus much other corruption, and playboy Pope Benedict IX.
Popes are human beings. They are sinners just like everyone else including Christ’s 12 Apostles (11 of whom repented).
They make human errors. And have human faults.
You will not find any Bible or Church teaching that states all Popes, or all Cardinals, or all Bishops will get to Heaven for eternity.
Anonymous, are you making up your own Faith again ?
Please provide a link to any Church document that states Popes are chosen by the Holy Spirit.
Does your definition include Pope Alexander VI, the father of many illegitimate children including Lucrezia Borgia, who was known to be guilty of nepotism, bribery, deceit, debauchery, etc, and who paid for some of the votes to elect himself Pope ?
Does your definition include playboy Pope Benedict IX, who was so corrupt that there were riots against him in Rome ?
Popes are human beings. They sin and make mistakes just like everyone else.
There is nothing in the Bible or official Church teaching that guarantees all Pope, Cardinals, or Bishops will get to Heaven.
Bob One,
JLS/Skai once asked if you were being paid by some chancery office. JLS also saw through your corporate disguised spin. Your press secretary attempt at damage control is very transparent. I also notice how extremely interested (threatened) you become when anyone advises readers to stop giving money to the wolves in sheep’s clothing. You are also the same poster who took sheer delight in mocking Cardinal Burke’s traditional vestments. Stop pretending that you are some purveyor of Catholic social justice. You are a purveyor of social chaos and confusion which is a hallmark sign of assisting the father of lies. What makes your brand of purveying chaos so particularly detestable is the deliberate masking of deadly mortal sins with a sugar cookie coating of treacherously motivated lies.
Taken from Rorate- Caeli
‘IMPORTANT: The Backlash Against the Manipulated Synod of Francis – Snippets from a Rome in Disbelief after 18 Months of Fear Under Pressure’
“I have spoken to a huge number of prelates in the past few days, many of them Synod Fathers. They are all furious and indignant with Francis. A president of a Conference of Bishops of a large African country even called him to my face “an agent of disruption.” The right word to describe the general atmosphere reigning in the Curia and the Synod, after 18 months of a government imposed by fear and persecution, is one I’ve heard several times in the past week: “esasperazione” (“exasperation”).
“Bob One” and “Anonymous”: Please check on the definition of “willful ignorance”. The Synod was a set-up, but Francis miscalculated on the (1) strength of Catholic opposition to his craziness, and (2) fact of the internet and social media. As a number of commenters have said, if this was all in place in the 1960’s there would not have been the wholesale craziness that happened at Vatican II or its immediate implementation.
Just look at what Francis reportedly said, deriding clergy and laity for “goody-goodiness” and other barely veiled disparaging remarks about Tradition, and adherence to fundamental Catholic beliefs. Wake up, People, Vatican II was a true revolution, and things are only going to get worse. Why let that happen?
In fact, think about why we, as contributing Catholics, need to support a bloated, luxury-loving, cabal of senior clergy and Vatican administrators (let’s leave the Pope out of this for the time being), who (1) have largely destroyed the liturgy, (2) refuse to follow what the Pope says anyway if it does not fit a tight limited Liberal agenda (e.g., Summorum Pontificum comes immediately to mind), (3) want to remake the Church to make more money (i.e., the Germans) or open the Church to unfettered sexual license.
NEWS –
“RELATIO SYNODI” dated Oct 18, 2014 was published last night.
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/18/0770/03044.html
It’s in Italian only on the Vatican web site at this time.
Looking at the end of the document you will see the number of votes “agree” and “do not agree” on a paragraph basis.
2/3 approval was needed.
Paragraphs 52, 53, 55 did not get the required 2/3 vote, and were therefore rejected. But they are included in the report.
Pope Francis has stated “Relatio Synodi” is presented to the Episcopal Conferences as guidelines for next year.
I hope the Vatican will post translations into all the major world wide languages for transparency.
https://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/L13JOS.HTM
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God?s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holily, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
Thanks MIKE, for referencing Sacred Scripture.
This is exactly why so many Diocese Bishops do not encourage the literate to read the Bible and CCC – so they can push their personal agendas with impunity by keeping those in the pews ignorant.
Everyone should read these passages, and pass the info on to their Bishops, Priests and others.
“Thou shall not commit Adultery” – GOD’s Commandment Ex 20:14 ; Deut 5:18.
“Thou shall not covet thy Neighbor’s wife” – GOD’s Commandment Ex 20:17 ; Deut 5.20.
Teachings of JESUS about divorce and remarriage – Mk 10:6-12; Mt 5:32.
Teaching of JESUS about adultery, mercy, and required repentance – “Go and Sin NO more” Jn 8:11.
Teaching about homosexual acts:
Gen 19:1-29; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10; Jude 1:7
St Paul – 1 Cor 11:27-30 about condemnation for receiving Holy Communion unworthily.
CCC: ” 81 Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.
And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its ENTIRETY the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit.
It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching. “
Be careful, Francis remains Pope. Like the President, he appoints leaders of diocese around the world, as well as other key Church offices. Just imagine how harmful someone like Bishop Cupich will be to the Faithful, and there are many, many like him.
Bishops need to know that they are being watched by the Faithful, not in abject adoration, or enslavement, but by believers that want to be led by a man of Faith, not a pompous, vain, greedy apostate with little regard for them. Interestingly, Pope Francis refers to Traditionalist as Pharisees; a cheap shot, really, in that Pharisees were one group of keepers of Judaic liturgical and written traditions and conformity.
Yet, for Francis to be accurate, the Faithful need to be believing — as a class — in untrue, or irrelevant things. Yet, the Faithful wish only to conform to what the Bible actually says, and what Catholic Tradition actually says. Francis appears to agree with this, saying as recently as Sunday that “God is not afraid of new things”. There you have it — a New Rome, a New Catholic Church. Yet, to be a Member of the New Church, you, as a Believer, must virtually renounce much of what is written, including the very words of Jesus Christ.
Good luck, Dear Catholic Reader. I am going “all in” on Jesus, and His Church.
“Yet, to be a Member of the New Church, you, as a Believer, must virtually renounce much of what is written, including the very words of Jesus Christ.”
No one needs to renounce anything. Pope Francis is calling us to accept all the words of Jesus Christ, even those that are inconvenient.
There is ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
Those who do not believe that the Catholic Church in union with the Pope is the true Catholic Church are schismatics and heretics.
Take a look at this booklet: Doctrinal Elements
of a Curriculum Framework
for the Development of Catechetical Materials
for Young People of High School Age.
It outlines what each Catholic High School and Parish should have in their faith formation programs. It is what textbook and Bible study publishers should use as a basis for teaching the Bible to high school age students. Each part of the curriculum outline cites the CCC. I think this is a good piece of work by the Bishops. Now the questions is how do the Bishops ensure that this is what is taught in their schools.
Hiring practicing and believing Catholic teachers would be a good start, Bob One. Diligent follow up with regard to who is teaching, what is actually being taught, and taking the temperature of schools on a regular basis would be in order. But giving guidelines and then not checking back is a recipe for disaster.
My goodness, what with all the education that goes into making a priest, let alone a Bishop, the idea that they cannot understand what is necessary to produce good fruits at schools is incomprehensible.
Bob One and Ann Malley – hiring good Catholic teachers is already required.
But as usual most Bishops are too busy with other things than doing their own jobs.
Code of Canon Law – # 793 – 814.
Here is a sample: ” Canon 803 §2. The instruction and education in a Catholic school must be grounded in the principles of Catholic doctrine; teachers are to be outstanding in correct doctrine and integrity of life.”
and
“APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
JOHN PAUL II ON CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES”
https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15081990_ex-corde-ecclesiae_en.html
1) Are many Diocese Bishops too lazy or cowards when it comes to doing their jobs?
2) What do we have to do to get their noses out of the prudential judgment of the Laity so they will have more time for their own job requirements ?
Instead of trying to change Church teaching by words that can be taken in many ways, the Pope needs to get his Bishops to do their jobs !
“…..Instead of trying to change Church teaching by words that can be taken in many ways, the Pope needs to get his Bishops to do their jobs!”
And sometimes the kids’ room gets cleaned and how when mom and dad bring in a handy garbage can and say, “Anything not put away in x number of minutes/hours will be put away permanently.” It’s amazing how the proper motivation increases the ability to ‘understand’ doctrine.
Great post, ED!
Ann Malley, stop bashing Catholic schools and Catholic bishops. You don’t go to a Catholic Church. You homeschool. You do not have any expertise in this matter.
I have 12 years of experience in this matter, mous. You may choose for yourself, but please stop attempting to shove other people’s head in the sand. It’s not charitable. It also won’t make problems go away.
That said, if the Bishops are on top of all the teaching efforts that go on in the Catholic schools in their respective diocese, then why are those children attending Catholic schools so unknowledgeable or rather offended by what the Church actually teaches?
Something is not connected right, mous.
You have 12 years of experience from at least 3 decades ago in how many schools? 2? 3?
You also have flip-flopped several times on what kind of an experience it was.
Stop accusing others of a lack of charity. “Everyone is just as charitable or more than you are.
Now please, so you don’t go to hell, tell us exactly what Catholic schools children are attending that are unknowledgable or offended by what the Church teaches. Please tell us the exact teachings that they are unknowledgable or offended by. And since there are over 6500 Catholic schools in the US, I expect quite a long list and not just a few gossipy tidbits that you got second-hand.
Each Diocese Bishop has the responsibility / authority for everything Catholic within his own Diocese – this includes but is not limited to: schools, colleges and universities.
It is our own responsibility to help keep our Bishop informed of non-Catholic behavior, not only complain to each other and then expect Catholic results.
CCC # 907; Code of Canon Law 212 #3.
Those who have not read his great book “Render Unto Caesar” could gain great insights from this wise and Holy Man.
Perhaps it is time for the Church to get out of the ‘Civil’ Marriage ‘Business’ – and let those who want file another form at city hall taking care of Caesar’s Rules.
Likewise, Most of the ‘benefits’ demanded by the Gaystapo as an excuse to attack Marriage were already available – By Legally Binding Contract:
“Synod confusion ‘of the devil’: Archbishop Charles Chaput , Synod On The Family
Chaput also urged priests to consider boycotting signing state marriage certificates in states where gay ‘marriage’ has been passed.
In a lengthy address in New York on Monday, Archbishop Charles Chaput spoke of his concerns about the atmosphere of “confusion” that appeared to surround the recently concluded Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family.
He said he had been “very disturbed” by the conflicting reports coming from the Synod, adding an old axiom of Catholic spiritual writers that “confusion is of the devil.”
“I was very disturbed by what happened” at the synod, Chaput said. “I think confusion is of the devil, and I think the public image that came across was one of confusion.”
The archbishop’s main thrust, however, was not the Synod but the increasing pressure on traditional Christian believers in the public sphere in the U.S. and elsewhere.
https://www.firstthings.com/events/2014-erasmus-lecture
The Synod and the Media: Culpable Naïveté or Shrewd Calculation? | Catholic World Report – Global Church news and views
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/3458/the_synod_and_the_media_culpable_navet_or_shrewd_calculation.aspx#disqus_thread