What's the purpose of the Synod?

My late father, an interesting chap in many ways (a pacifist and conscientious objector in WW2 who recanted when he realised quite how evil Hitler was, a vehement atheist who converted to orthodox Catholicism...) used to say: there are two reasons for everything: the Good Reason and the Real Reason.  It was, of course, meant to be a witty and deliberately cynical bon mot, but I think (like all the best wit) that there is some truth in it.

Which brings me back to my theme: the Synodal Way.

I have already blogged about some of my initial thoughts, concerning both the inherent risks (here) and the problems with the way in which the process is being conducted (here). Now I am turning my attention to the purpose: what is the point?...

The Preparatory Document  tells us that God expects us to tread the path of synodality in the third millenium (without really offering any basis for this claim) and explains that synodality is 'the specific modus vivendi et operandi of the Church, the People of God, which reveals and gives substance to her being as communion when all her members journey together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission.'

But to what end?, you might ask. Well, at the highest level of abstraction, Communion, Participation, Mission. But that, I think, is the continuing goal: why we must all, always be Synodal.  With regard to the particular iteration of this Synodal process:

We recall that the purpose of the Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, but “to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.”

I mean, it's hard to argue with, because it's all so nebulous. But it does seem to me to be a very different understanding of the Church than anything that has gone before. And I'm afraid I don't buy it. 

For here, my Father's cynical dictum comes to mind. That may be the Good Reason, but what is the Real Reason?

Those who know me well will remember that I am not a great fan of Jung. Nonetheless, his observation: If you cannot understand why someone did something, look at the consequences—and infer the motivation offers an interesting perspective.

The initial results of the Synodal Way seem to include the German Hierarchy promoting heresy, the Flemish Bishops blessing homosexual pseudo-marriages, the raising of expectations across the Western World that moral laws, particularly with regard to sexual morality, are up for debate, and women may be admitted to the priesthood; and so forth.

Is that really what the Holy Father intends?

It is hard to know: he is always, deliberately, ambiguous in what he affirms and reluctant to condemn anything.

But his actions also speak. And it seems that he promotes and champions those who promote such views, and the only people he condemns are those who are so rigid as to adhere to the Faith as handed down by our forefathers.

Even when he says things that orthodox Catholics long for him to say, such as his condemnation of abortion, his behaviour seems to tell a different story: praising prominent promoters of abortion, and even appointing one, who is also an avowed atheist to the (already emasculated - by him) Pontifical Academy for Life.

All of that lends weight - considerable weight - to the fears of many that the Synodal Way is in fact designed to lend an air of legitimacy to a pre-determined path that will lead to the 'softening' (ie changing) of the Church's moral law. And all the talk in the Preparatory Document of the Synod being 'the whole People of God' discerning together might just explain why traditional Catholics are under such relentless and hostile attack. If they can be provoked to leave the Church, it would lend more credibility to the project: for if they stay, they will resist. And that is precisely what we should (and I am sure many of us will) do.