Catholics in Scotland & Synodality Mania…
Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have welcomed a call from Pope Francis for a Synod on the theme of Synodality, to be held in 2023. I mean, could you make this stuff up? A “Synod on Synodality”? What about a “Debate on Debating”? A Symposium on Sympathy… Well, you’ll get my drift.
From Daily Compass: Made For The Truth
According to Pope Francis, synodality expresses the nature of the Church, its form, its style, its mission, and some of its variations. As opposed to the rigidity and top-down nature of hierarchies, synodality should be considered the self-same movement of Tradition, which would lead to a turn towards the sensus fidei and its infallibility in credendo; due to the fact that synodality means “walking together”, it is the people of God and not someone else, even if the shepherd of the Church, who indicates the direction of travel, because the people would have the “nose” for the right direction. Consequently, according to some observers, synodality corrects the Petrine primacy, and thus the baptized believers who participate in the worship, listening and teaching of the word may also govern the Church. This would do away with the ‘paternalism’ of the hierarchy. It is a pity, however, that those who support this view have not realized that paternalism is what has produced, for example, Traditionis custodes.
All this seems to stem from the notion of ‘living tradition’ Pope Francis has in mind when he resorts to the quotation from St Vincent de Lérins: ‘ut annis scilicet consolidetur, dilatetur tempore, sublimetur aetate‘ (progressing, consolidating with the years, developing with time, deepening with age). He mentions it in the 2015 encyclical Laudato si’ (121) to indicate the Church’s growing self-understanding both in tune with and dependent upon dialogue with the world; in his speech on 11 October 2017 – the twenty-fifth anniversary of John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution Fidei depositum on the Catechism of the Catholic Church – to justify the amendment of the article on the death penalty; again, in the closing address delivered to the Synodal Assembly on Amazonia, on 26 October 2019; finally, in the address to the faithful of the diocese of Rome, on 18 September 2021, to launch the synodal process. It may be deduced that this quotation constitutes the recurrent yardstick by which he measures the “rigidity” or otherwise of people and things.
Yet, the quotation from the famous monk refers to the dogma of the Christian religion, and this excerpt continues like this immediately afterwards: “It is necessary, however, that it always remain absolutely intact and unaltered”. Indeed, as he had reflected earlier: “Some may ask: will there never be any progress in religion in the Church of Christ? There certainly will be, and a great deal. For who can be so much of an enemy of men and hostile to God as to wish to prevent it? However, one must be careful that it is a true progress of faith and not a change. True progress occurs through internal development. Change, on the other hand, occurs when one doctrine is transformed into ‘another one’. It is therefore necessary that, with the progress of the times, the understanding, knowledge and wisdom of individuals and of all, of one alone and of the whole Church, should grow and progress as much as possible. However, the kind of doctrine, the doctrine itself, its meaning and content must always remain the same”. Click here to the rest of this excellent article
Editor writes…
I’m hearing from all sides, that there is synodality mania across the Church in Scotland, with parishes enthusiastically preparing with questionnaires/consultation documents and all with a view to re-making the Church in the image of the person with the best ideas. Click here to see the very nice young lady in the short video clip, briefly explaining what’s what in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, and here to check out the consultation questions in the Diocese of Paisley – crazy (loaded) questions like “who feels left out of the Church?” / “How can we include them?” I suspect (but not sure) that these will be the standard questions distributed across the country. Whatever, at least one parish in Glasgow – St Matthew’s Bishopbriggs, is at pains to assure everyone that this here synod ain’t no “tokenism” – hint, hint; change is a-comin’, folks.
What do you think – is a Synod on Synodality a great idea – or would you prefer a Debate on Debating? 😀
Comments (18)
The first paragraph excerpted by Editor summarizes succinctly the poison that is about to be dripped into the veins of Holy Mother Church: pure Protestantism, and pure anarchy as well. Away with the hierarchy, away with paternalism, bring on democracy, bring on feminism, bring on equality! In short, bring on Lucifer!
For Francis to think that his deceitful gibberish will result in a movement toward Tradition is an outright, absurd lie. It will result in the creation of yet another branch of Protestantism.
The paragraph in this excellent article, further down, that begins with “To confirm Pope Francis’ misunderstanding” [of St. Vincent Lerin’s axiom], is the completely wrong choice of words. There is no misunderstanding here: there is only subterfuge.
RCA Victor and Mary Anne,
Pure Protestantism is right. They don’t want a pope, that’s the beginning and end of it. We’re heading for another major schism in the months, maybe years ahead.
RCA Victor,
that is where I get mixed up – I’m not sure how to judge whether Francis is doing what he’s doing deliberately to destroy the Church or if he is just an ignorant liberal who doesn’t understand what he is doing.
Josephine,
Have a good look at Francis’ shifty eyes in one of his videos, and you will no longer be mixed up. I think a priest actually commented on this, on this blog, early in Francis’ pontificate.
The word ‘Protestant’ came to my mind also!! Going further … cult ! We can’t go to these things. Dangerous to the mind. Make your home a fortress of Godliness with a shrine and pictures of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. Etc. Get home consecrated to the Sacred Heart.
Mary Anne,
I completely agree about making our homes a fortress. You just don’t see holy pictures or water fonts in Catholic houses any more. We need to return to these customs. I especially like the idea of encouraging the consecration of homes and families to the Sacred Heart – check out my avatar, LOL!
This is a joke. Ridiculous. The Church in Scotland is dying on its feet and the young girl in that video hasn’t a clue about what the Church is about, why the teachings can’t change etc. It’s reminds me of the SNP wanting the vote extended to 16 year olds – they are easily manipulated due to their ignorance and easily fired up for a cause.
What these bishops will face in eternity, doesn’t bear thinking about.
Lily,
It really IS a joke – except it’s not funny. They’re destroying the Church before our very eyes and making it look like they’re doing a good thing, which is what Luther did in the middle ages.
Dear Friends
Like all of you l have read and seen this mania at close quarters even in our schools.
In my professional experience many of our fellow Catholics children and parents are theologically,doctrinally and ethically ignorant and hostile towards the faith due to the abandonment of substantive Catechesis etc post Vatican 2 (which was deliberate and intentional) otherwise the Modernist false Church could not emerge.
This insidious program is another stage/step in that process of solidifying and codifying the Counterfeit Church. I concur it’s a process of Protestant committees – that’s what it is when all is said and done to create an entirely new faith which is not Catholic.
We are in a situation where we are witnessing the creation of Roman Protestantism. It’s perverse but the True Faith will endure in the designs of Providence.
My greatest concern is how many souls will be dragged into this sinful madness
Every blessing
Michael
Michael,
I take it you are a teacher, so that’s very interesting to have some insider comment.
I agree that V2 has achieved the protestantising of the Catholic people, and in such a short time, too. Shows how weak the faith of the majority was, to have been so easily led out of the Church. Athanasius often says that people in general have lost the ability to reason (e.g. the Covid restrictions/government control) and I think this is also to be seen in the Church, laity and priests alike don’t seem able to comprehend what is really going on, that the Church doctrine cannot change as they want it to.
Dont know how I missed this thread ED but I personally think that Bergoglio is a Genius. I mean I know that you say lets have a Debate on Debating but Bergoglio has really rowed the Boat out here .
Let’s have a Sinnod on Sinnodality to talk about the Sinnodality of the Sinnod.
It’s like a word game that reminds me if you stand in the Middle of 2 Lifesized Mirrors . Your reflection goes on and on and on and on .
Personally I think if some of the Sinnodality crowd came and Studied just ONE, just ONE Latin Mass . They would learn more about their Faith than all of these useless Sinnods.
Josephine
Thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, l am an RE specialist for all my sins and it’s horrendous to witness the impact of this process as an act of lunacy on the Church by the hierarchy.
I completely concur with your comments especially in matters of doctrine which many Catholics have a relativistic/modernist perspective.
The number of occasions l have been verbally abused by pupils / parents over Church teaching and how it has ‘to get with the times’ etc. would appall most people.
Apart from my beautiful wife and children I/we have this wonderful forum and Our Editors marvellous and invaluable newsletter. Which for me is always a great source of strength and support in my life.
Every blessing
Michael
Michael,
Thank you for your kind words about Catholic Truth. Much appreciated.
As a retired RE teacher myself, I do sympathise with your experience, although my concerns were not so much with pupils as with modernist and apostate staff. At that time (some years ago now) I found the students more open to grasping that the Church was not just like any other institution, that it was given to us by Christ Himself and that certain teachings and beliefs cannot change. In order to deal with the sceptics, I sometimes would have mock headlines on the board that they would see as they entered: Pope Removes Ban on Stealing/Murder etc. They would be indignant (those who were daft enough to think they were real headlines) and one way or another, it helped to lead into developing their understanding of the nature of the teaching authority of the Church, not least as defender of the natural moral law.
I’m rambling again!
Dear Editor
My thanks for your kindness and support as always.
You are not rambling in the least.
I would in addendum, completely agree with you in terms of my own experience of heterodox staff especially SLT.
All of them are deeply imbued and supportive of the Modernist view of Catholicism and openly hostile (in house) to myself and like minded colleagues.
I think now that the present model of Catholic Education has ran its course and is no longer fit for purpose. Behind all the public hype etc it operates in a moral and doctrinal vacuum. Many family and friends who are teachers have confirmed my own perceptions. Sadly many of them have left in the past three years as they are totally disillusioned with it all.
For me l think the Catholic Educational model requires a new vision that will teach “Confessional Catholicism” is in a much more substantive doctrinal and systematic manner.
Maybe one this will happen in the designs of Providence.
Until then we will- all of us continue to bear witness and soldier on regardless entrusting our efforts to the Lord, Our Blessed Mother and St Joseph (my Confirmation Saint )
Every blessing
Michael
Michael,
I will remove your surname from your comments. These same “tolerant” bunch, keen on “diversity”, would persecute you even more if they knew you were posting on a public forum like this.
If, for any reason, you wish your surname to be reinstated, let me know and I will do that right away. If not, you should re-enter Michael in the slot where you are asked to “display name publicly as”…
Michael,
Are there any practical examples you can tell us about, as to how the Synod preparations are affecting schools. What is it they’re actually doing in schools to prepare for this synod?
Thank you 🙏
Great, Michael – my pleasure!
Comments are closed.