Is this Amazonian Synod as bad as people are saying?

[stormer83]

Incorporate their culture and spirituality into Catholicism as much as possible

Except that historically this is what the Church has always done. So this not really new at all…

 

[twf]

I think the proposed German “synodal assembly” is much more concerning that this Amazonian synod. At least the latter is an official synod of bishops following due process under the primacy of the Pope. The former is being planned in open defiance of Rome. Yet it’s thread on the Catholic News board is like crickets.

 

[Frankie65]

Except that historically this is what the Church has always done. So this not really new at all…

Example.
St Francis Xavier destroyed all pagan idols. Historical.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

Example.
St Francis Xavier destroyed all pagan idols. Historical.

You can take the good and leave the bad.

 

[Frankie65]

Are there any good pagan idols?

 

[AlbMagno]

I think VanitasVanitatum wasn’t refering to idols, but to cultural elements, which is at the heart of the question.

To critics, this synod will bring some kind of weird syncretism with paganism.

To defenders, the bishops will take care to just use cultural elements as evangelizing tools, just as we’ve done in large parts of Asia (just see the pictures of Indian churches on the “Post your favourite Church” thread).

 

[AlbMagno]

Yeah, of course, just like climate change.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

A culture usually has more to offer than just idols, so no.

 

[StephenBales]

The fact that ecology is the primary concern of the bishops and numerous examples of vague wording that can and likely will be abused.

Don’t forget implicit pantheism.

 

[whatistrue]

It’s a normal healthy part of its cycle.

When people talk about the Amazon burning, they are usually referring to the deliberate human-initiated burning of areas to remove the original vegetation and clear it for agriculture. That is not a normal part of its cycle. Whether it is a worthwhile action is a different discussion.

 

[LilyM]

AlbMagno:

Oh, except when it’s Rome. Then it’s totally ok to assimilate latin, roman titles, roman law, roman architecture, and greek philosophy.

Are Latin, titles, law, architecture, and Greek philosophy inseparable from Roman/Greek paganism?

The Popes directly took the title 'Supreme Pontiff ’ from the chief priest off the old Roman gods fer crying out loud.

And if Latin and Greek language, philosophy and other cultural aspects ARE separable and able to be repurposed to serve the Church then why on earth NOT those of the tribes of the Amazon?

 

[Fauken]

And if Latin and Greek language, philosophy and other cultural aspects ARE separable and able to be repurposed to serve the Church then why on earth NOT those of the tribes of the Amazon?

And what traits might those be? The only traits I could garner from that document was their love of nature and respect of women, whatever those might mean.

 

[AlbMagno]

Then you have nothing to worry about, if that are the cultural aspects.

 

[Fauken]

Then you have nothing to worry about, if that are the cultural aspects.

Depending on what love of nature and respect for women mean.

 

[Bluebright]

That’s truly terrifying. It also sounds a lot like the end of times to me.

 

[Xarto]

If they ordain women deacons, will this lead to a split in the church?

 

[steph03]

I personally believe that the Amazon Synod will end up nowhere as bad as people think… Many were just floating ideas around but very few (if any) will be taken seriously

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/10...-skeptical-on-married-priests-for-the-amazon/