The Catholic Church is currently embroiled in a deep-seated controversy, with Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality at the heart of the matter. The Synod, which was inaugurated with a Mass at the Vatican on October 5th, 2023, has been met with significant resistance from conservative factions within the Church.
The Synod on Synodality, a month-long event, is a platform for dialogue and discernment within the Church. It aims to address contemporary issues facing the Church through collective discussion and listening to the Holy Spirit.
However, the inclusion of gay people, including women, among the voting members of the Synod has raised eyebrows among traditionalists.
POPE SUGGESTS CATHOLIC CHURCH COULD BLESS SAME-SEX COUPLES
Pope Francis has suggested he would be open to having the Catholic Church bless same-sex unions.
In 2021, the Vatican decreed that the Catholic Church would not bless gay marriages because God “cannot bless sin”.
But… pic.twitter.com/HaOsTpSfXF
— 🔥Sir Escanor (Reloaded)🔥 (@EscanorReloaded) October 5, 2023
The crux of the controversy lies in the potential doctrinal shifts hinted at by Pope Francis. The Pontiff suggested the possibility of blessing same-sex couples and ordaining women as priests, both of which are radical departures from long-standing Church doctrine.
These suggestions have not only caused a stir but have also led to a deep division within the Church.
Five conservative cardinals, hailing from various continents, have openly challenged Pope Francis. They have requested him to affirm the Church’s teachings on homosexuality, women’s ordination, papal authority, and other contentious issues.
These cardinals, appointed by either St. John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI, represent a more doctrinaire generation and have been vocal critics of Pope Francis.
Among these critics are Cardinal Brandmueller of Germany, a former Vatican historian, and the American Raymond Burke, who was dismissed by Francis as head of the Vatican supreme court.
Other signatories include Mexican Juan Sandoval, the retired archbishop of Guadalajara, Robert Sarah of Guinea, the retired head of the Vatican’s liturgy office, and Joseph Zen, the retired archbishop of Hong Kong.
What an ungodly man this pope is!!
Pope Francis’ Synod Sees Deep Division, as Globalist Pontiff Hints Possibility of Blessing Gay Couples and Ordering Women as Priests https://t.co/spO2W9bWpX
— The TN (@Thewiseonewon) October 5, 2023
The cardinals’ challenge to Pope Francis was met with a response, but it was deemed unsatisfactory by the critics. They reformulated their questions and requested a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer from the Pope.
When this was not forthcoming, they decided to make their concerns public, issuing a “notification” warning to the faithful.
In addition to the Synod controversy, Pope Francis has also made headlines for appointing a controversial Argentinean Bishop as the new Head of Discipline and Doctrine. Monsignor Fernández, known for his book about the ‘Art of Kissing’, is accused of covering up sexual abuse allegations in his Archdiocese.
As the Synod continues, the world watches with bated breath. Will Pope Francis steer the Church in a new direction, or will he uphold traditional doctrine?
