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chaunceygardner
Guest
I sincerely pray the Pope takes this advice. And I hope that he would quickly accept the resignations of the Irish Bishops and any others who were involved in covering up these crimes. And Benedict should not wait for Cardinal Brady to “decide” whether to resign; he should contact him personally and give him the hook.
That is kind of decisive action needed. Sooner than later.
That is kind of decisive action needed. Sooner than later.
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lemonbeam
Guest
I agree! The Pope should totally do this!
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Hiskid1973
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Good idea…Time to do do some housekeeping and bring everything to light…As for the timing, it might been by some a s damage control…peace to you…
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Erin_Anne
Guest
It’s quite apparent that something big has to occur at the Vatican to sort it all out, NOW. I’m getting so sick of this issue coming back again and again, and in multiples every time.
As far as those who have resigned, as they say… “don’t let the back door hit you on the ***** on the way out!”
Erin-Anne :shamrock2:
As far as those who have resigned, as they say… “don’t let the back door hit you on the ***** on the way out!”
Erin-Anne :shamrock2:
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timotheos
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With every passing day, we are one day closer to the second coming of Christ. And what a relief that is!
-Tim
-Tim
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lemonbeam
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I haven’t seen this being reported on the Catholic News Agency or Zenit.
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Hiskid1973
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Amen, but we know it will get worse before it gets better…He will shake what can be shaken, but His sheep will be not without His care…Peace to you dear brother in Christ…
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Catholic29
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An emergency ‘abuse summit’ of bishops from around the world wouldn’t be a bad idea at this point, or does Benedict expect this flap to blow over by Easter? 
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markomalley
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Also from the article:
*“There is a deep feeling of unease in the Vatican at the moment,” said one well-placed source in the Holy See. "Senior people in the Curia feel under siege f**rom parts of the international media as they see it trying to nail the Pope for allegedly covering up or mishandling abuse cases. **
*So, there is a call from unnamed sources in the Curia and unnamed bishops calling for a synod. Not a multinational ad limina visit. Not a consistory. A synod.
Now people here on CAF (and probably a lot of Catholics) think “gee…the Vatican sure is getting hammered. Maybe a really good pep talk meeting is a good idea.” Or: “Gee, this would sure help figuring out procedures to help deal with the crisis.” Or: “Gee…the Pope needs to hammer some backbone into these bishops. Calling them together would be a great idea so that he could chew them out.” Or: whatever.
Folks, do you all understand what a “synod” is?
From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
A general term for ecclesiastical gatherings under hierarchical authority, for the discussion and decision of matters relating to faith, morals, or discipline. It corresponds to the Latin word concilium. The word synodus appears probably for the first time in the so-called “Apostolic canons”, while the word concilium was employed in the same meaning by Tertullian more than a century earlier. Synod and council are, therefore, synonymous terms.
When the bishops of the whole world are congregated under the presidency of the pope, the synod is denominated ecumenical or general. It is only to such an assembly that it is lawful to apply the term sancta synodus (see GENERAL COUNCILS).
A council, convened by the Pope, would have tremendous power to make sweeping changes to matters of faith, morals and discipline.When the bishops of the whole world are congregated under the presidency of the pope, the synod is denominated ecumenical or general. It is only to such an assembly that it is lawful to apply the term sancta synodus (see GENERAL COUNCILS).
If the theological liberals were to gain control of such a council, they could push through decisions to:
- Allow, by law, married clergy
- Allow, by law, female clergy (I realize that this would be invalid, but a council could determine that)
- Allow, by law, homosexual marriage (I realize that this, too, would be invalid, but a council could determine that)
- And any other number of innovations, theologically valid or otherwise
Of course, we all recognize that the Holy See would never ratify such novelties. But that wouldn’t matter. But the press wouldn’t care…they would tout the results of this new council and would condemn the Holy See. Probably along with not a few Catholics in this country.
The only people we know of for sure who are calling for a ecumenical synod are the press. They allegedly have some curial members and some bishops who have called for it: but those curial members and bishops don’t even have the courage to allow their names to be used. Think about that one for a little bit while you’re at it.
If a council was convened as the result of unnamed curial sources, unnamed bishops, and reports in sources like the Independent, it wouldn’t be convened as a result of a move by the Holy Spirit. Maybe as the result of a move by a spirit, but not the third person of the Blessed Trinity.
So you can count my vote as a resounding “no” on that horrible idea.
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Alan55
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A Synod is not a decision-making body. It offers advice to the Pope, who makes any real decisions. This is from a reply to “frequently asked questions” prepared by the USCCB:
What role does the Pope play in the Synod?
The Holy Father convokes the Synod and establishes the topic to be discussed. He ratifies the election of members of the Synod chosen by the various Episcopal Conferences and appoints additional members. He determines the agenda and presides over its sessions, either in person or through others. The Holy Father receives the proposals of the Synod and acts on them as he deems appropriate.
There is no possibility that a group of liberals could hijack a synod and change Church policies regarding married clergy, women priests, etc… The Pope convokes a synod, picks its topic, determines the agenda, presides over its sessions and decides whether to act on the bishops’ suggestions – or not. I’m not sure you understand just how tightly controlled the Church is by the Pope and Curia and just how few liberal bishops there are after the long tenure of John Paul II, who appointed most of the world’s bishops.
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wisdomseeker
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a Council right now would be very dangerous for the Church since the Church is being ruled by liberals. perhaps that is exactly what the world is pushing for. the liberals so want this to happen. i think the holy father should call the Traditional bishops and priests to give him advise. he needs them now more than never. what the holy father does not need are the traitors that has taking over the Church for 40 yrs. stand still holy father our God will deal with the situation. the only solution for the problem of the Church is for all of us to call upon our God and repent of profaning His House.
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markomalley
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Rumors would flow freely. The way that I know this is that there is an absolute requirement for secrecy when a synod meets. Therefore, it will be greatly publicized.
I don’t know if you remember some of the media interviews with the more liberal cardinals after the election of Joseph Ratzinger. There were a large number of leaks that came out in the wake of the conclave.
Do you have any idea the number of leaks that would come out? And from whom???
You mention controls. Yes, there are typically tight controls. But for an EMERGENCY synod/council? It takes months (if not longer) to prepare the Instrumentum Laboris and Lineamenta for a synod and then months for the bishops to digest it.
Do you think the media will wait that long? And what about the (unnamed bishops) who are calling for this emergency synod??
Bottom line, it wouldn’t matter if it was a consultative synod or a deliberative council…
It would be an out-of-control mess.
Not to say that the Holy Father would accept any heretical recommendations or, if a deliberative council, ratify any heretical decisions. But word would get out…even if the matters weren’t even formally discussed…and then our wonderful unbiased friends in the NYT, WaPo, CNN, Independent, Times, etc., would proceed to make more and more hay over the matter.
And, as a result, more people would be led to shipwreck. The Church would survive, of course. But how many souls would the wolves lead astray as a result?
If the Holy Father is inspired to call a synod, so be it. But a synod called by inspiration of bishops or curial officials who lack the courage to be named…advertised and promulgated by a media who has a visceral hatred for Holy Mother Church…
Nein danke
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EmilB
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Consider the source. Its The Independent. I’d put more stock in the National Enquirer.
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cyberwolf001
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May he wishes to wait till after Easter.An emergency ‘abuse summit’ of bishops from around the world wouldn’t be a bad idea at this point, or does Benedict expect this flap to blow over by Easter?
Your Church already has married Priests. I do not get why this is always treated like a doctrine when it is a discipline. Your Pope could just up and change that tomorrow if you wanted.
Also I thought the Church couldn’t go against established infallible doctrine, or can that be changed as you seem to suggest here.
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Eric_Hilbert
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Remain on topic please
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OriginalJS
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I agree there should be no council. A council is akin to a constitutional convention; once validly instituted the power of a council is immense. There is no need for a general revamping as has been the case with past councils. (The aphorism about not firing a cannon when a rifle will do comes to mind.)The sex abuse scandal is serious but not systemic. What is needed is immediate action to purge priests and bishops who have been either guilty of sexual abuse or who have condoned it by refusing or failing to take appropriate action. Those offending priests, bishops, archbishops and cardinals should be immediately defrocked, laicized and expelled; information about them should be turned over to local law enforcement authorities. There should be no more “soft landings” such as that given Cardinal Bernard Law who was brought to Rome from the United States and given a high position at St. Mary Major. If these or similar stringent measures are not taken, it will be difficult for many to believe that the Church is serious about cleaning up this mess and the feeding frenzy we see in the mainstream media will continue.
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wisdomseeker
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agreed. because the laws were not obeyed is why we are in such a mess. but one thing i do recognize. we must not let the media get us all round up. we know that is what they do best get people all crazy. we must remain calm for the Church and trust God. this too shall pass.
here
youtube.com/watch?v=sUbCt-7XE3E
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pnewton
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That’s because it is not news.
I haven’t seen much of any news source out of the U.K. that I would trust. I think anticatholicism is too entrenched there.
If the Pope wants a summit to discuss again some of the mistakes in the past, that is his decision. I do not see the purpose, unless it it to standardize the changes that have already been made. It will have no affect on stilling the opposition to the Catholic Church. Everyone who had everything to do anything could be lined up and shot and there would still be the same cries going up that the Church is not doing enough.
Time will have no affect on the issue. Even though the current news
is still dealing with decades old issues, these will still be brought up in the next century. How often do we still here about Galileo and the abuses of the Inquistition. No, I do not believe for one second this is about child abuse and protecting children, at least from a media standpoint. Nothing is reported about all the changes made and the tremendously sucessful effect they have had. Why throw cold water on hysteria, with cold facts. Hysteria, crisis and witch hunts sell papers, not success.
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seekerz
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So were the “traditional bishops” the ones who spoke out or the ones who kept silent about the skeletons in our closet?
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