Basically, what the orthodox (not “conservatives,” but people who hold to orthodox Catholic doctrine) got was the avoidance of a flat-out statement overturning teachings...which Francis had said all along would not happen, simply because he knows he can’t do it. So that wasn’t much of a win.
On the other hand, the left essentially is now going to be able to define its own terms - simply through practice. The document made everything dependent on “culture” (that is, condoning the particular sin that particular country is devoted to, be it homosexuality or polygamy or simply fornication) and the “internal forum,” another way of saying that Church law has been rendered meaningless and the only thing that matters is what your local parish priest thinks of your behavior.
Goodbye to the Church, which was once everywhere and at all times and for all people the same. That’s what law is...impartial and based on an ideal...and essentially the synod dumped this for a biased reading by a biased individual who is earning his living by keeping in the good graces of his “clients,” formerly known as parishioners.
Many people were worried that the bishops’ conferences were going to be given doctrinal authority, but now it looks like it resides with Fr. Bob and probably, sooner or later, with Sister Snowflake when she gets off the bus.
They’re all elderly, but they still have enough venom left in them, now that they’ve been revived by the elderly Pope Francis living out his Vatican II fantasies, that they could probably deliver a mortal sting to many in the Church.
I respectfully disagree with you.
The document does not say that priests can allow Catholics to have their private conscience trump Church doctrine. That was the spin put on by those bishops (like Archbishop Cupich) whose idea it was in the first place.
None other than Cardinal Pell also agrees with me here. He even went further and said the document does not contain any ambiguities, only some incomplete parts.
Some people may interpret this however they wish, but the document does not say that communion for divorced and remarried Catholics is okay. It calls for discernment for integration for those outside the Church but does not clarify further.
How can you despair with saying “Goodbye to the Church?” The damage was minimized, and Francis will not be Pope forever. He is almost 80 and has hinted that he may resign when he hits that age. He is not going to live for fifty more years.