Six things you need to know about the Synod of Bishops' interim report

Vivificat - From Contemplation to Action ^ | 14 Oct ober 2014 | Teófilo de Jesús (@vivificat)

[Teófilo]

Brethren, Peace be with you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Inaugural Mass of the Synod of Bishops in Rome

There's been a lot of misunderstanding regarding the interim report issued by the Synod of Bishops this last weekend. Much of the misunderstanding is due to a New York Times (NYT) article formerly titled Vatican Signals More Tolerance Toward Gays and Remarriage since renamed At the Vatican, a Shift in Tone Toward Gays and Divorce - probably because they were so far off the mark in the first place. (George Weigel's take on the NYT article dispatches the MSM approach clearly and efficiently).

Brethren, these are things you need to know about the Synod's stance regarding same-sex activity and people suffering from same-sex attractions, over and against the views reported in the MSM:

1. The Bishops have not changed Catholic doctrine regarding the moral admissibility of same-sex activity, nor will they change it, nor can they change it. Any expectations formulated and fostered by the MSM that such a change is possible or forthcoming or even desirable are false. (If you want to know or want to remember the Church's unchangeable stance, read it here).

2. The issue is one of pastoral approach to people suffering  from same-sex attractions. You can call this a "change in tone" if you like, but I've said the same thing in writing 9 years ago and then again 5 years ago (here and here). I didn't invent my own conclusions from thin air, but from reading the official Catholic doctrine regarding homosexuality and chastity. If I did so, any person of good will can and must understand that all persons suffering from same-sex attractions must be treated with love and respect, and that avoiding all signs of unjust discrimination against them is our duty as faithful Catholics. The doctrine says what it means and means what it says.

3. There was no "Vatican backtracking" in the face of "conservative bishops" regarding this issue, as CNN reports. Check the Synod's working document against the official Catholic doctrine and you'll see they don't contradict each other. CNN, NYT, and other media simply failed to understand both Catholic doctrine and the Synod's working process with their reporting or worse, willfully distorted their reporting to support another agenda.

4. I'm all for "gradualism" - the Synod's "byword" - if by it we mean to say that discipleship and growth are a process, and that sinful patterns of life acquired by repeated action - we call those "bad habits" or "vices"- be they cohabitation, divorce, or same-sex activity, are not broken overnight barring a luminous miracle; and that prayer and sacramental help, as well as true friendship, mentoring, and companionship, are needed to guide others to the fullness of life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But with "gradualism" there's the temptation to compromise with mediocrity, to say "I've progressed enough, I'll stay here, I can't do no more" while the mentor, already identifying with the pilgrim, will tend to acquiesce. Many are those who hope to catch such a "break", the moral demands of the Gospel notwithstanding. If that's what "gradualism" means, we have the obligation as Catholics to reject it.

5. Righteous gradualism works. Just ask the people who work in the Courage Apostolate. Non-sexual friendship and long-term mutual companionship and support between people suffering from same-sex attraction is possible with God's grace. These men and women who have chosen to live according to the Gospel in the context of their same-sex attraction need our special support, love, and respect. All this is implicit in the official Catholic doctrine regarding homosexuality and chastity.

6. The interim report issued by the Synod of Bishops is just that, interim and therefore, temporary, malleable, and unfinished. It is more a summary of the bishops' views expressed the prior week. The document is just a milestone and reference point in a larger process.

Don't lose your peace before the distortions and misinformation pervading the MSM about the Synod. All is going the way it is supposed to go. The Holy Spirit is in the details. Let us continue to pray for the success of this first phase of the Synod of Bishops.

[Teófilo]

P.S. Don’t even dare tell me I’m far from Heaven; we all are!

If we all are, then I dare. I would not be telling you something you don't already know.

~Theo

[dware]

There's only one thing anyone needs to know about the Synod:

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8

Any doctrine that changes based upon political winds is a false doctrine.

[Teófilo]

Lik I said on my first point: no doctrine is changing, will be changed, or can change, regarding the objectively disordered (”evil”) sexual activity between people of the same sex, nor recognition of the same within the framework of civil or sacramental marriage. No change is contemplated or desired, either. The rest is pure speculation. Period.

~Theo

[Teófilo]

There's no such thing as a "dumb question." :-)

The last Synod was in 2012. The topic was "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith" Here's a list of all the synods to date.

~Theo

[Teófilo]

The correct line was “I am a dwarf, standing on the shoulder of giants.”

Hardly narcissistic and I do keep good tabs on that. It’s called “introspection,” something you too can use and in spades.

But since we are telling “truths” to one another, what I observe in you is the envy that plagues you at what little I’ve accomplished in life and in so little time, by the mercy and blessing of God. I have, and continue to use every talent He has deigned me worthy of, whenever and however, for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. You may not like that I do so, but I don’t need your permission to do it.

May the Lord richly bless you.
~Theo

[Teófilo]

Aren't you right there making the kind of rash judgment on me I was incorrectly admonished for just above?

It was a truth that you needed to hear. You can do with it whatever you want, but you must choose what to do. You must decide.

~Theo

[Teófilo]

If you change the practice, does it really matter whether you change the doctrine?

I don't think the "practice" is going to change either, although you don't tell me what you mean by "practice."

And homosexuals will not come into the church quietly and humbly, they will come in to take over.

I don't see how you can speak for all homosexuals. Some may return with that mindset, others may not. We don't know which will be the greatest group either. All we can do is sow the seed and let God make it grow. It's a chance we need to take in order to rescue that one sheep from the wolves, even if the wolves give us chase.

They will distribute communion and lead your children’s catechism classes. They will want to be openly homosexual priests. How the synod ends is irrelevant. It’s all over Facebook how Francis the Great will be approving same sex marriage any day now.

What misguided people say in social media is what's really irrelevant. The Church is an object of faith, a reality not entirely of this world. The powers of hell and of death may threaten and even hurt her, but they will not prevail against her. We have that promise from the Master himself.

Tell me, is there a plan to staff a branch of Courage in each parish so homosexuals can employ gradualism to rid themselves of their desires? I doubt it.

There's no such plan as far as I know. But there should be one and we can always petition for one to the local ordinary, and God in heaven in prayer. It sounds like a good plan to me.

+JMJ,

~Theo

[informavoracious]

For example, doctrine against contraception has not changed; but in practice, many or most Catholics HAVE used contraception. So the lack of doctrinal change did not stop Catholics from doing as they pleased. Spurred on by clergy who often either tell them to follow their conscience or who elect not to reinforce the doctrine from the ambo. Sorry if I am feeling less than hopeful. My local parish priest was removed recently for allegations of making advances to a teen boy and having pornographic images of young males on his computer.

[ebb tide]

You didn’t finish your sentence. What do you dare? Are you closer to Heaven than I?

[Teófilo]

I understand. Let’s pray for the priest in question and that justice be done, harshly, if the charges are true. It might be a blessing in disguise for him, as he’ll have time to repent before appearing in the Court of Final Instance.

This is the time to trust, to have childlike faith in God, who makes all things work for the good of all who love Him. Let hope displace despondency and joy replace your sadness. This is the Christian life! It is a joy to live it through in season, and out of season! Rejoice! Again I say, rejoice!

~Theo

[Teófilo]

I don’t know, but if I were, I would gladly leave you my spot on the line.

It that were so, take it. Let’s switch places.

~Theo

[ebb tide]

It's a chance we need to take in order to rescue that one sheep from the wolves, even if the wolves give us chase.

You've got that backwards, according to Francis:

"But, brothers and sisters, we have only one. We're missing 99! We must go out and find them."

Is there not one Gospel that Francis will not mangle?

[ebb tide]

No, thanks. I don’t think we’re in the same line.

[Teófilo]

Probably the hardest advice for al to follow, me included. This will be my last post on this thread. May the Lord bless you all richly.

[informavoracious]

Thank you.