Are We In for an October Surprise at the Synod on Synodality?

Remember, no matter what surprises Francis & his Modernist Minions^TM spring, Christ will not allow them to change His Mystical Body.

From Les Femmes

By Mary Ann Kreizer

The Synod on Synodality seems to have gone low key over the past few months. Some of the most controversial issues were taken off the table and designated to study groups. Does that make you feel relieved? Not me. It takes them away from the public spotlight and lets the assigned committee members, dare I say change agents, work in the dark. The enemy sneaking up on you from behind is always more dangerous than the enemy you face directly. And there are many enemies within the walls of Holy Mother Church!

What's at stake? Plenty! As Jonathan Liedl wrote at the National Catholic Register:

The most controversial issues may be off the agenda of next month’s Synod on Synodality assembly in Rome. But make no mistake about it: The Oct. 2-27 gathering could still lead to several big changes that impact daily life in the Catholic Church.

Delegates to the synod, which will conclude a four-year global synod process that’s focused on how to increase participation in the Catholic Church, will likely discuss and possibly approve proposals touching on everything from women in leadership positions to the ability of national bishops’ conferences to make doctrinal decisions. 

The potential for impactful changes remains even after Pope Francis decided to transfer contentious topics — such as the possibility of women deacons and the discernment of controversial doctrinal issues (including those related to sexuality) — to dedicated study groups and not the synod assembly as a whole.

In fact, both concerned theologians and eager activists have speculated that by focusing on more foundational topics like decision-making in the life of the Church, the synod could actually “open the door” to efforts to change particular doctrines and disciplines.

And that's certainly been the hallmark of the Francis pontificate. Use the synodal process to change doctrine unofficially by allowing and affirming practices that violate the Sacred Tradition of the Church for millennia. 

St. Thomas of Villanova

Let's face it. There are many Judases in the Church these days, often wearing miters and pectoral crosses. I thought of that when I read about St. Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valencia, in Butler's Lives of the Saints this morning. 

St. Thomas didn't have an ounce of ambition. He embraced poverty and sacrifice as an Augustinian friar. Like St. John Neumann, he avoided all the rich trappings of his office preferring his old habit, which he mended himself and his old hat. He tried to avoid being named a bishop, but through an interesting circumstance, the Lord overturned his desires.

In the days when secular kings still influenced the selection of bishops, Charles V, knowing how reluctant Thomas was to accept a bishopric, selected another man for the post in Valencia. His secretary, however, thought he heard St. Thomas' name. When he asked the king if he should change the document, Charles responded, "By no means. This has happened by a particular providence of God. Let us therefore follow His will."

St. Thomas accepted the office reluctantly, and became a model bishop. During his lifetime he was described as "the pattern of bishops," "the almsgiver," and "father of the poor." Rather than reveling in his dignity, he often said, "I was never so much afraid of being excluded from the number of the elect as since I have been a bishop."

Would that our modern bishops had the same fear of the Lord. Pray for all the bishops attending the October synod and all the other participants as well. May God prevent further efforts to change and water down the doctrines of Holy Mother Church. God never rewards rebellion!

May God have mercy on us.