Synodal Path Rigged From Beginning to End. Senior German Cleric Resigns

It's not just the German Synodal Weg that's rigged. The entire Synodal process in the Church is rigged to only get the answers Francis wants.

From Catholic Conclave

Too much "German special way"

Bonn's city deacon Wolfgang Picken resigns his mandate for the Synodal Path. He represents the Priests' Council of the Archdiocese of Cologne in the General Assembly of the Synodal Path and is a member of Forum 1 "Power and Separation of Powers".

"Reforms and changes are needed in the Catholic Church. However, I cannot support the lack of openness with which many debates are conducted in the Synodal Path and numerous reform proposals that too lightly abandon unity with the universal Church," he said in a statement.

Lack of debate culture and critical faculties

Picken had already criticised several times that the debates within the "Synodal Path" were not sufficiently open for controversial discussion. He had formulated written interventions and, together with other members of the Assembly, submitted a text for the forum on "Power and Separation of Powers" entitled "Authority and Responsibility", without these having been put up for discussion in the bodies of the Synodal Path.

"For long stretches, one had to get the impression that the objectives of the Synodal Path had already been set beforehand," 

said the Bonn city deacon.  In addition, the topics had been dealt with under too much time pressure and rules for discussion had been developed for the Synodal Assembly, which neither did justice to the importance of the questions nor enabled an appropriate debate on the content. The political scientist with a doctorate had already withdrawn from active participation in the "Synodal Path" after these experiences. "The Synodal Path's lack of debate culture and critical faculties disappointed me and made participation impossible," said Picken.

Synodal Path harms important reform concerns

The Bonn city deacon also notes that even critical comments from outside were not constructively taken note of by the Synodal Path. Both the letter from Pope Francis at the beginning of the Synodal Path and the many critical statements from recognised theologians such as Cardinals Kasper and Schönborn or entire Bishops' Conferences of other countries had not been taken into account in the agenda of the Synodal Path.

Instead, the objections had been warded off with sometimes aggressive rhetoric and the own agenda had been pursued unflinchingly. Even the most recent Vatican intervention, written by three cardinals on behalf of the Pope, had been largely ignored. "This violates the basic principle of synodality. It consists of listening to each other and entering into a serious dialogue," Dr Picken said. This, he said, is not a demand that the Synodal Path can make of the Pope and the Vatican alone, but which the German reform process must first do justice to itself. On the other hand, disconnecting the Synodal Path from its critics and ultimately even from the Pope violates the rules of a good culture of discussion and endangers unity with the universal Church. "In the end, it is this unwavering stubbornness and ruthlessness with which the Synodal Path pursues its own German way that moves me to resign my mandate," the Bonn city deacon sums up. The Synodal Path leaves behind hardening and polarisation and causes disappointment and frustration because it has lost the measure with many of its demands. "With its dubious methodology, the Synodal Path has probably harmed many reform concerns that are significant for the Catholic Church worldwide," Picken sums up.

Synodal Path limits democracy and co-determination  

The priest from Bonn also notes that there have been considerable deficits in the Synodal Path from the beginning with regard to participation and thematic openness. There is a two-tier system among the delegates. Dr. Picken already criticised at the first plenary assembly that anyone who was not a member of the Bishops' Conference or the Central Committee of German Catholics could not be elected to the Presidium of the Synodal Path or to the leadership of a forum.

(Cathcon: tyrannical rule of the Catholic Church by a cosy club of the pseudo-clerical elite)

This would considerably limit half of all delegates in their possibilities of co-determination and influence on the course of the reform process. Through structural and content-related stipulations in the statutes, the sovereignty of the Bishops' Conference and ZdK over the Synodal Path was first ensured, instead of engaging in truly democratic structures and open processes in the reform process. "It is implausible to demand democracy and co-determination in the Church when it is deliberately and intensively restricted within the Synodal Path," said the political scientist and theologian from Bonn. The Synodal Path had completely failed to integrate critical voices and to consider possible minorities. This also violates the idea of synodality and has provoked polarisation from the beginning.

Source

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Aesthetic Appreciation

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Today we are talking about art and aesthetic appreciation. What makes something an artwork? Can art really be defined? Is aesthetic value objective or subjective? Can taste be developed? How?

Francis Declares Trads Are Faithless Ideologues While Actually Being An Ideologue

Explanation of the Prayers and Ceremonies of Holy Mass, Dom Prosper Guéranger - Lavabo, Ps. XXXV.

 

Whilst the Choir and people are being honoured with incense, the Priest washes his hands.  This ceremony is marked, at this particular moment, because the Priest has just been using the Thurible, which always soils the hands, because of the smoke.  But at the same time, this washing of the hands embodies a mystery: it expresses the necessity there is for the Priest to purify himself yet more and more, as he advances in the Holy Sacrifice.  Just as Our Lord washed the feet of His Apostles before instituting the Holy Eucharist and giving them Holy Communion, so too, should the Priest purify himself.  In the Ambrosian Liturgy, this rite of washing the hands takes place during the Canon, before the Consecration; the signification is ever the same, namely, the duty of self-purification incumbent on the Priest; nevertheless, the moment chosen for this rite by the Roman Church, ever discreet in all her decisions, is preferable to that adopted by the Ambrosian Liturgy.

To accompany this action, which signifies what the purity of the Priest should be, holy Church has selected the Psalm xxv., which is marked in the Monastic Office in the First Nocturn of Sunday’s Matins: Judica me, Domine, quoniam ego in innocentia mea ingressus sum.  In this Psalm, it is Our Lord Himself who speaks; it is easy to perceive that the Priest could never apply such words to himself.  Holy Church appoints but the half of this Psalm to be said, commencing with the words: Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine, ... I will wash my hands, O Lord, and make myself like to those who are in the state of innocence, so as to be worthy to approach Thine Altar, to hear Thy sacred Canticles and to recount Thy marvellous Works.  Every word is wonderfully adapted to the present occasion.  Further on, we come across this other remarkable expression of the Prophet: Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae et locum habitationis gloriae tuae: Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy House, the Place where Thy Glory dwelleth.  David here speaks of that Tabernacle under the shade of which he dwelt so happy, although the Temple was not yet in existence, for it was not built till Solomon’s time.  The Psalm is continued to the end, so as to allow the Priest ample time for washing and wiping his hands.  This other verse of the same Psalm: Ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum: I have walked in mine innocence, proves to us, once again, that this Psalm is altogether Messianic; the Priest, therefore, says it in the Name of Christ, with whom he is but one and the same, during the action of the Great Sacrifice.  In Masses of the Dead, and at Passiontide (when the Mass is ferial), the Gloria Patri is omitted at the end of this Psalm.  This omission of the Gloria in this place is always coupled with the omission of Psalm Judica at the beginning of the Mass.

Meatless Meals Made Easy: 21 Recipes to Cook During Lent

Need ideas for healthy, delicious Lenten meals? Here are enough recipes that you need only repeat once to get through the entire season.

From The SpruceEats

By Cathy Jacobs

With the start of Lent, you may be getting ready to give up meat on Fridays until Easter. While this may not sound complicated, it can be a challenge for busy families if you're not prepared with some crowd-pleasing meat-free recipes. Don't fret, though—just bookmark this collection of hearty lent-friendly meals that are so good, you'll want to cook them year-round.

• 01of 20

  Creamy Corn and Seafood Chowder

  

  ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Mocanu

  Enjoy a warming bowl of hearty chowder for dinner, served with crusty bread for dipping. This creamy seafood stew is loaded with corn, potatoes, shrimp, and scallops, but you could also substitute in real or imitation crab or lobster.
• 02of 20

  Porcini Mushroom Risotto

  

  alle12 / E+ / Getty Images

  While nutty-tasting farro is wheat and not rice, it has the proper texture to make a nice risotto and actually saves you some stirring. This rich and earthy recipe combines the healthy grain with wild mushrooms, shallots, garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
• 03of 20

  Quick and Easy Tuna Tacos

  

  The Spruce 

  Fish tacos are a family favorite that you'll want to add to your weekday meal rotation even after Lent is over. You use canned fish for these easy, 10-minute tuna tacos, making it an excellent recipe for busy days, a quick lunch, or a lighter dinner.
• 04of 20

  Asparagus Ricotta Spring Pasta

  

  The Spruce / Molly Watson

  Enjoy the bright, green flavor of seasonal asparagus in this creamy pasta dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Ricotta cheese adds richness to the dish with lemon juice and zest adding zing. Parmesan and black pepper are also added before serving for a restaurant-style presentation.
• 05of 20

  Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

  

  The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo

  Swap out squash for pasta in this gluten-free spaghetti squash alfredo dish. Cheesy, rich, and creamy as an alfredo should be, this dish is studded with broccoli, while the squash provides an extra boost of wholesome vegetable goodness. 
• 06of 20

  Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos

  

  ​The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  Make Friday breakfasts during Lent something to get excited about with these easy vegetarian burritos. All you need is some leftover rice, a can of beans, and a few Mexican spices to make tasty breakfast wraps that give you plenty of energy.
• 07of 20

  Cauliflower Fried Rice

  

  The Spruce / Anita Schecter

  Cauliflower fried rice is a nutritious homemade alternative to take-out food during Lent and a great choice when you're craving a satisfying meatless meal. Prep all your ingredients for the stir-fry ahead of time for a tasty dish that comes together quickly in the pan.
• 08of 20

  Mushroom Roasted Garlic Pizza

  

  Ivan/Getty Images

  Skip the pizza delivery and try this savory homemade vegetarian mushroom pie instead. It's simple to prepare with store-bought dough and has an awesome depth of flavor from sauteed chopped mushrooms and roasted garlic. Parmesan cheese and a little snipped fresh mint are knockout finishing touches.
• 09of 20

  Grilled Cheese Sandwich

  

  The Spruce / Grilled Cheese Social

  Adults and kids alike will rave about this amazing grilled cheese. With only three ingredients, it may just be the best melted cheese sandwich ever and is the perfect meat-free choice for Lent Friday lunches.
• 10of 20

  Simple Lemon Garlic Shrimp With Rice

  

  The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  When guests are coming for dinner during Lent and time is short, this delicious recipe will save the day. Simple yet elegant, the lemon garlic shrimp with rice cooks in only 15 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients, but tastes special enough to impress company.
• 11of 20

  Crock Pot Lentil Soup

  

  The Spruce

   

  Crock Pot lentil soup is a fabulous lunchtime recipe for those drizzly spring days when you need something to warm up stomachs. The filling, comforting vegetarian soup is also inexpensive, full of protein, and simple to prepare using your trusty slow cooker.
• 12of 20

  Fish and Chips

  

  nicolebranan / E+ / Getty Images

  Your family will cheer when you serve fish and chips for dinner! Use your favorite fillets for this tasty battered fish dish that comes with easy homemade potato wedges. Serve with lemons, tartar sauce, and coleslaw on the side.
• 13of 20

  Sesame Ginger Broiled Halibut

  

  Bob Ingelhart / Getty Images

  Halibut has a firm, substantial texture that makes it a good substitute for meat. This tasty main dish uses Asian ingredients to flavor fresh or frozen fish fillets for a meal that cooks quickly under your broiler. Be sure to allow time for marinating the fish so the flavors can develop.
• 14of 20

  Creamy Mushroom Pasta

  

   

  Fudio / Getty Images 

  Easy-to-prepare mushroom pasta is sure to become a favorite in your home. A rich tasting mushroom sauce is added to your favorite hot cooked noodles for an impressive, meat-free recipe that's perfect for entertaining guests during this period,
• 15of 20

  Salmon Burgers

  

   

  bhofack2 / Getty Images

  These pan-fried burgers use canned salmon from your pantry, making this an easy recipe you can enjoy year-round. Well-flavored homemade fish patties make a satisfying pub-style lunch or dinner when served on soft fluffy rolls or burger buns.
• 16of 20

  Family Favorite Macaroni and Cheese

  

  The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  Your search for the ultimate macaroni and cheese just ended. This crowd-pleasing recipe with an irresistible homemade sauce gets fantastic texture from a buttered breadcrumb topping. Ideas for variations are included too, so you can tweak it according to your family's tastes.
• 17of 20

  Lemon and Herb Tilapia

  

  Arthur Kwiatkowski / Getty Images

  This nutritious dinner is a wonderful way to enjoy the mild, delicate flavor of tilapia. Fish fillets are flavored with butter, lemon, and herbs, and baked in the oven, for a tasty entree that is ready in just 30 minutes. It makes a great family meal along with steamed vegetables and some hot cooked rice or a baked potato.
• 18of 20

  Vegetable Lasagna

  

  apaltynowicz / Getty Images

  Lasagna packed with plenty of veggies, cheese, and a creamy sauce is so satisfying, you won't care there's no meat. Fresh chopped vegetables are layered with a seasoned mixture of ricotta, mozzarella cheese, and a simple Alfredo-style sauce with Parmesan cheese.
• 19of 20

  Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread Casserole

  

  Alan Richardson / Getty Images

  Craving the taste and texture of meat on Fridays during Lent? Vegan and vegetarian chili made with ground beef substitute plus hearty beans will keep you satisfied until Easter arrives. Plus, it's baked with a delicious cornbread topping for a mouth-watering finished dish your family will love.
• 20of 20

  Spaghetti Pie

  

  The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  Hearty pizza-style spaghetti pie is sure to become a favorite recipe in your family. What's not to like—with all your favorite pizza ingredients cooked into a "pie" with tender noodles? Skip the pepperoni during Lent and add any fresh chopped veggies from your fridge to boost the nutrition content.