[Catholic Caucus] Who Is in the Pan-Amazon Synod’s Small Working Groups?

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/who-is-in-the-pan-amazon-synods-small-working-groups?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NationalCatholicRegisterBloggers+National+Catholic+Register+Bloggers#When:2019-10-14 ^ | October 14, 2019 | Edward Pentin

[ebb tide]

[Catholic Caucus] Who Is in the Pan-Amazon Synod’s Small Working Groups?

In previous synods during the pontificate of Pope Francis, these working groups have been an instrument for advancing contentious agendas.

VATICAN CITY — If previous synods can be taken as a guide for future ones, the circoli minori (small working groups), rather than the general congregations, can be where agendas pursued by a minority can be introduced into the synod proceedings.

The German-language group was a particular focus in this regard, both during the 2014 and 2015 synods on the family and at the synod on youth last year.

On these occasions, participants in those German-language groups tabled subtle amendments to synod final reports in an apparent attempt to push through a preset agenda.

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Source is National Catholic Register

[Secret Agent Man]

Small working groups means they are using the Delphi Technique to ensure the arival of predetermined outcomes.

[G Larry]

In Vatican II it was important to be the guy in the small group who had the pen.

To write the summary of the conclusions and instill as much ambiguity as possible.

(As noted in AA1025: Confessions of an Anti-Apostle)

[ebb tide]

The Vatican said at the beginning of the synod that it would be publishing reports on the discussions taking place in the small groups, although none have appeared yet.

So much for "transparency" in the Church that Bergoglio has called for.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Beat me to it. I was going to say "Google Delphi Technique".

When I saw it in action (in a "lay Catholic network" conference) a couple of years ago, it was absolutely amazing. I could see that a set of predetermined agenda points was being methodically extruded through the groups, but in each group, most participants were under the impression they were in some kind of "participatory democracy" actually making the decisions.

If you don't recognize the manipulative techniques, you are putty in the planners' hands. Even if you see it right in front of your face, it is extremely difficult to extricate yourself from the process.

[Secret Agent Man]

The people guiding the small groups are taught how to deal with group members who know what they are doing and protest it. Basically they alienate and turn the group against them.