Easier said than done when nothing but confused rhetoric and double-speak is all we can get from the cardinals (excluding Cardinal Burke), and the Pope won’t ever say anything to clarify or reenforce Catholic doctrine.
He doesn’t need to at this point. Everyone, including the cardinals, knows exactly what Catholic doctrine is. And this synod is not about changing doctrine but about how to best pastor the flock. As ShanPO says, all we can do is pray and trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide our leaders. That’s what I’m doing. Let’s not let ourselves be thrown into a turmoil by preliminary discourse.
The bishops have not spoken with a unified voice for years. And if I’m not mistaken, in times past, weren’t these discussions kept under wraps until the declaration was made? The news reports and slanted bias has caused chaos, but how exactly does one sow discord by only speaking the truth?
No, everyone does not know. That’s they problem. When reports are leaked that even the cardinals can’t come to an agreement about issues, people will begin to think that even though its still called “doctrine”, it is no longer absolutely binding. Pope Francis has remained silent while the media has a frenzy with every sound bit they can get. Why can’t he just come flat out and say something like: “The Church is not changing its stance on homosexuality. Rather, the Church is developing its pastoral, NOT DOCTRINAL, approach to the issue.” An unequivocal statement like that would end speculation, take the steam out of the media, and most importantly, help confused Catholics understand what’s going on. I wish the Pope would stop his apparent shying away from Catholicism.
That’s because we didn’t have mass Media back then. Mass media in many ways derailed Vatican II.
Well, considering that it has been rumored for weeks that Cardinal Burke is to be removed from the Magisterium in an unprecedented and undignified manner, he may well have a bone to pick with Church leadership.
How is he showing discord by asking the Pope to defend Catholic teaching?
He is also repeatedly meeting with reporters who have clearly demonstrated an intent and ability to confuse and lead astray the faithful, thereby undermining the work of the Holy Spirit and the Church. Everybody makes mistakes, but you know what they say: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice [or three or more times, in this case], shame on me.”
The Pope asks you to do things. You don’t ask him.
Justin, Thank you so much for posting this.
God bless you.
Well, the Pope is “the servant of the servants of God”.
A Cardinal asking a Pope to re-assert Church teaching is sowing discord, and creates groups like SSPX?
You can’t ask him to pray for you? To explain something to you?
We have an official release from the totality of the synod vs. the release of one member of that synod.
This is exactly why I said a couple of months ago, I had hopes that the synod would remain behind closed doors. Now, it appears, that priests and bishops are saying some who not properly disposed according to current church law, are approaching them about receiving communion.
