The following comes from a May 29 LifeSiteNews article by Lisa Bourne and John-Henry Westen:
“The Synod is a solely consultative assembly that has no Magisterial weight in and of itself.” “Neither the Synod of Bishops nor any other Church authority has the competence to change the doctrine of the Church.” Those are a couple of the hard-hitting quotes in a newly released book penned by three bishops and endorsed by another four, one of whom is a retired Vatican cardinal.
“Preferential Option for the Family — 100 Questions and Answers Relating to the Synod” was authored by Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa, Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Astana, Kazakhstan, and Archbishop Aldo de Cillo Pagotto of Paraiba, Brazil. The guidebook on the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family, released in an effort to counter the confusion surrounding the upcoming Synod on the Family was also endorsed by Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Italian Archbishop Luigi Negri, Belarus Archbishop Tadeuz Kondrusiewicz, and Ecuador Bishop Patricio Bonilla.
The book tackles very difficult questions head-on. One of the questions for instance refers to a bishop who suggested that homosexual unions, while they should not be marriages, should be blessed. In answer, the new book’s authors say, “A homosexual union is not merely affective coexistence among friends but erotic cohabitation between lovers which involves the use of unnatural sexuality. Therefore, homosexual unions are gravely sinful and cannot be compared to marriage, nor can they be blessed by the Church. Instead, we must oppose recent attempts to legalise such unions in any form whatsoever.”
Bishop Vasa explained the need to restate Church teaching with the publication as the book was released in Rome last week. “There is nothing new or revolutionary in this book,” the bishop said. “We just simply felt that, in light of the upcoming synod on the family, it was time to reiterate those things the Church has clearly and consistently taught.”
Addressing questions about the teaching of the Church being out of touch with the modern world, the bishops reply, “If the faithful no longer understand a moral doctrine, the blame does not fall on the doctrine but above all on those who should teach it in a clear and convincing way.” It adds, “The historical transformation of society is a result of cultural and moral errors. The Church should not adapt to these errors or their consequences but rather identify, denounce and remedy them. Therein lies a real ‘update’ of her ministry.”
Last year’s Extraordinary Synod on the Family was marked with chaos and confusing communication reports, coupled with media misrepresentation of Church teaching, as opposing orthodox and liberal flanks among synod fathers skirmished over marriage, divorce, family, and homosexuality.
While some at the 2014 Synod suggested admittance of remarried divorcees to communion, the book counters: “Adultery is objectively a grave sin and as such can be forgiven if the sinner has manifested not only a sincere repentance but also a purpose of amendment, that is, of ending the adulterous behaviour.”
Happy to see this guidebook. Do not take solace, however, in the fact that the Synod lacks express authority to do anything.
So did Vatican II, by its own words a “pastoral” council. So what! The NewChurch has bent over backwards to say that Vatican II documents are “binding” and “doctrinal” and “can never be changed”; all that foolishness.
The bishops should say that the Synod needs to be cancelled. The Germans, cowards that they are, are trying, not always successfully (see the Polish bishops) to obtain “consensus”. C. Marx has already said that the Synod has no purpose if it serves only to endorse existing doctrine; things must be changed (according to him).
Maybe the Synod on the Family should just be cancelled! Let the next Pope tackle these problems! The Church really does need a comprehensive religious and moral indoctrination in the Catholic Faith, a solid catechesis for all Catholics (clergy and laity),of all ages– before it goes any further! The Church also needs to completely end the chaos, internationally, in Catholic schools, from K-12, and through college! Teach ONLY the true Catholic Faith, in all religion or Catechism classes! And all Catholic schools and colleges, should have only perhaps 1% non-Catholic students, and 1% non-Catholic teachers– if at all!!
Catholic schools from K-12 through colleges are not Catholic because of the number of Catholic students they enroll, but rather because they adhere faithfully to the teachings of Jesus Christ and and Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church.
Our Lady of Fatima warned mankind, about all the dangers of the future! There is literally Hell to pay– for sins of the flesh, sexual sins– destroying the Church, the Bride of Christ! The body of a Catholic is to be wedded to Christ! It is not his/her own– but Christ’s! We each must carefully guard and protect the mind, the heart, and the body, where Christ is to dwell!! Big responsibility, of mature Catholics! In the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, each spouse beholds Christ in the other! Children are from the hand of Almighty God, in Heaven! And the model for the family, is the Holy Family– Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Amen! Well said, Linda!
What this article does not state is – that the Magisterium is the Bishops in conjunction With the POPE.
The Pope called the Synod. The Pope approved the agenda. The Pope allowed the invitation of specific speakers.
Guest speakers Cardinals Walter Kasper, and Godfried Danneels statements and intentions were not mis-represented by the press. –
They clearly VIOLATE the teachings of Jesus and the Doctrine of the Faith under the term “pastoral”.
What about the “secret” meeting at the Vatican by some of the heretical German Bishops (who support changing the Faith) and others of their ilk in preparation for the 2015 Synod ?
“Secret Study Day – Invitation and Program ”
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/secret-study-day-invitation-and-program
This battle is not over.
Regarding HOMOSEXUALITY:
SACRED SCRIPTURE: Gen 19:1-29; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10;
1 Tim 1:10; Jude 1:7.
DOCTRINE of the FAITH: CCC # 2357, 2358, 2359, 2396.
Regarding DIVORCE with CIVIL REMARRIAGE –
SACRED SCRIPTURE: 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.
JESUS about divorce and remarriage – Mk 10:6-12; Mt 5:32.
JESUS about adultery, mercy, and required repentance – “Go and Sin NO more” Jn 8:11.
DOCTRINE of the FAITH: CCC # 1649, 1650, 1651.
Regarding RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION unworthily –
SACRED SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor 11:27-30 condemnation; Mt 7:6 Jesus on Profaning the Holy.
DOCTRINE of the FAITH:
CCC: “1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace.
Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”
&
CCC: “1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place.
Contrition is “sorrow of the soul
and detestation for the sin committed,
together with the resolution not to sin again.”
It is NOT – – – ” PASTORAL, CHARITABLE, or MERCIFUL ”
to ignore, condone, promote, or approve Mortal Sins of any kind.
These are ” buzz words ” that the evil Bishops are using to promote mortal sin.
If the 2015 Synod does not require all Bishops to actively promote the reading of
1) Sacred Scripture (Catholic Bible) and
2) Doctrine of the Faith (Catechism of the Catholic Church” aka CCC; 1997)
by all the literate Laity;
and as a requirement in 100% of the Seminaries, then the Synod will be a failure.
The lack of catechesis for many Priests as well as the Laity is appalling.
There would be no need for this Synod if all Church going Catholics knew their Faith accurately and completely.
And relativism would not be an issue amongst active Catholics.
Priests and Laity can not teach others accurately what they do not know accurately.
With the cacphony of the error of “do what feels good” is pounded away in our ears, kudos and thanks to these bishops for reinterating the truth. It can not be repeated too often.
“The Synod is a solely consultative assembly that has no Magisterial weight in and of itself.” “Neither the Synod of Bishops nor any other Church authority has the competence to change the doctrine of the Church.”
Take NO comfort in these words–an obvious smokescreen to divert your attention from the Synod–the equivalent of “Pay no mind; there’s nothing to see here.” While technically true, the results of the Synod will have a huge impact on the Church one way or another.