Coming to a Parish Near You...

So today, instead of a homily, we heard from a parishioner who is co-ordinating the Parish's contribution to the 'Synodal Pathway'. This is heralded locally as 'probably the most important event in the Church in our lifetimes' (or the most depressing depending on your point of view).

It is intended in my parish (if sufficient numbers participate) to hold an initial meeting and to split the attenders into 'small groups' who will hold forth on their opinions as to the direction which the Church of the future should tread. These groups will thereafter meet several times and report their thoughts and conclusions to the lead parishioner who will then represent those views at a meeting of all parish representatives who will convey their thoughts etc. to the Archbishop who will (presumably) report the 'majority verdict' at the actual Synod of Bishops who will then (I suppose) use these to push their own agendas in the matter of e.g. married priests, female clergy, LGBTQ inclusion, variety in worship (excluding the TLM of course), name your own progressive agenda item, etc. etc.

As someone who recalls the pre-VII Church, I find this so depressing. It reminds me of the pretend democracy of the Soviets. The local soviet would pass motions which would be passed on to the area soviet, who would pass these on to the provincial soviet, who would pass them on to the national soviet, who would pass them on to the Politburo who would do whatever they damn well liked (but everyone pretended to be overjoyed with the outcome).

 

This is a leftist catholic propaganda tactic. I’ve witnessed it on a local diocesan level…created and run by leftist. Horrible!

 

The Pastoral Council in our Parish met with the Parish Priest last week and the same scenario was presented to them from a directive sent by the Diocese office on engaging with Parish groups especially LBGT groups to ascertain what they think the Church should be doing in these times. My husband is chairman of parish pastoral Council. He objected and said this is all about changing church teaching on homosexuality. He quoted the catchesim on th subject. Of course people objected but some members were delighted he challenged the agenda head on. At Mass yesterday the Parish Priest gave a sermon on the need for compassion and speaking gently etc etc whilst looking directly at my poor husband. He is upset over the whole matter. Of course today's gospel speaks about how false prophets will be treated very well by the world. The truth will rarely win you friends.

 

boy, I wonder what will happen after the time of grace if this is happening now during the time of grace...as in time of grace for conversion.

 

God bless your husband. Speaking truth seldom makes you popular. "Jesus comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable."

 

this synod seems to have been planned at least since 2015 when Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (who is very close to Francis) suggested that the next synod could have as its theme the decentralization of the Church, that is, the enhancement of the role of national Episcopal Conferences, individual dioceses, continental synods
https://domtotal.com/noticias/detalhes.php?notId=959425

 

Praying for you husband Maryrose. He’ll need to be armed with scripture at these meetings….particularly the scripture that warns against anyone who would try to change the gospel.
I saw a sign up list in a local church and i think it is a build up to embrace the outcome of the synod. They want this embraced on local levels to thwart any push back when the synod concludes. This is bigger than what it may appear.
Your comment, “The truth will rarely win you friends”, is true….but it will be rewarded eternally.

 

If decentralization of the Church occurs, it will be universal catholic chaos. I can’t even imagine this…
I can’t imagine God not intervening.

 

They are doing this in my parish and diocese as well. We went to the first small group meetings. 99% of the people who showed up were conservative, so I was encouraged by that.

 

No more ONE holy apostolic Church.

 

Yes, and what then….?

 

Yes I'm sure they are good people but easily manipulated. If you don't look for information outside the official channels you don't see the agenda or have a clue what's the end game. It's like the covid narrative in the media. Media censors any views that might wake people up.

 

Bishops during a Mass in St Peter's Basilica (Vatican Media)
POPE
Pope Francis transfers responsibilities to bishops
Pope Francis on Tuesday issued a new Apostolic Letter “motu proprio” – on his own initiative – modifying the Code of Canon Law (CIC) and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO) to favour greater decentralization.



By Christopher Wells

With a new motu proprio published on Tuesday, Pope Francis has modified canon law for both the Latin Church and the Eastern Churches, changing the areas of competence for various bodies within the universal Church. Specifically, with the Apostolic Letter Assegnare alcune competenze (“Assigning certain competencies,” taken from the opening words, or incipit” of the document), Pope Francis transfers certain responsibilities from the Vatican to local bishops.

Fostering collegiality
The new norms deal with different areas of Church life, in each case specifying the authorities competent to make decisions with regard to those issues. “The intention,” of the changes, writes Pope Francis at the beginning of his Letter, “is above all to foster a sense of collegiality and pastoral responsibility on the part of Bishops […] as well as Major Superiors, and also to support the principles of rationality, effectiveness, and efficiency.”

The Pope explains that “assigning certain competencies” – that is, giving direct decision-making authority – “to the executive power of the local Churches and ecclesial institutions corresponds to the ecclesial dynamic of communion and enhances proximity.” He notes that “a healthy decentralization cannot but favour this dynamic, yet without jeopardizing the hierarchical dimension” of the Church.

Responding with pastoral efficacy
Pope Francis explains that the changes “reflect the shared and pluralistic universality of the Church,” which allows for differences without attempting to make everything uniform. At the same time, “the ministry of the Bishop of Rome,” guarantees unity in the midst of diversity. The modifications to canon law are also aimed at helping local church authorities respond to pastoral issues more rapidly and effectively, precisely through their closeness to the people and circumstances involved.

Among the specific areas touched upon by the changes are the erection of inter-diocesan seminaries, the plan of priestly formation produced by episcopal conferences, the order of consecrated virgins, the publication of regional catechisms, and the reduction of the obligation of Masses attached to legacies or donations.

15 February 2022, 12:10

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/...is-transfers-responsibilities-to-bishops.html

 

This is why we should back our conservative priests. I am part of such a group in our Church, and we are holding on to our principles as much as we can. But not everyone in the group is conservative. I can tell you this isn’t easy. Especially when some of the donors are liberal. It’s a constant struggle. Our Archbishop Wenski has insulted our conservative Governor De Santis and lied about a matter concerning children. Wenski has made it a political issue. This is so sad. Are there any Bishops that aren’t Democrat?

 

I am proud that your husband spoke as he did. It is one thing for a homosexual to struggle with temptation and fall. All of us do so, especially with the weakest link in our personal make-up. Authentic compassion requires us to uphold the demands of the Gospel which include uprooting sin in our own lives. That is why mercy and penance go hand-in-hand. We receive God's precious Mercy in Confession, but we utilize the required penance to combat the sin with which we struggle.

This is why I must be more diligent in uprooting persistent sin in my own life lest I fall into the trap of JoeJerk:

Luke 6: 41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

In fact, I just thought of something. If I have someone I'm close to (i.e. my wife) and I have to admonish her (a rarity), it might be good if I ask her to pray for me in regard to my weak link as well!

That could be dangerous; I have multiple weak links and she knows them all! Could make for a long conversation!

 

99%!!! Wow! When I "retire" maybe Geralyn and I will move there!

 

This pattern of decentralization is one of the main thrusts of the upcoming synod, as well. In the long run, it will destroy one of the four marks of the Church, our oneness (unity):

ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC

A couple of years ago, we discussed how Pope Francis has rejected a number of Papal titles. In a warped sense, perhaps Francis believes a watered down Church will help achieve unity. In his mind, exclusivity is bad.

It looks more like a demolition derby!

John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.