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By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral Theology Boston College School of Theology & Ministry Email: [email protected] and Web-page: https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeWebIndex.pdf

By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral … · 2014-10-26 · Professor of Moral Theology . Boston College School of ... 尨speeches delivered in the Synod Hall\⤀屲Compilat\൩on

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Page 1: By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral … · 2014-10-26 · Professor of Moral Theology . Boston College School of ... 尨speeches delivered in the Synod Hall\⤀屲Compilat\൩on

By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral Theology

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

Email: [email protected] and Web-page: https://www2.bc.edu/james-bretzke/BretzkeWebIndex.pdf

Page 2: By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral … · 2014-10-26 · Professor of Moral Theology . Boston College School of ... 尨speeches delivered in the Synod Hall\⤀屲Compilat\൩on

Setting the Topic & Predicting the Future Difficulties

A Work in Progress & Hitting a Moving Target! To begin with one conclusion: surprising little

focus on Catholic politicians and voters Can touch only a limited and quite selected

range of topics Will not be able to “answer” what might

happen vis-à-vis Church disciplines Won’t be able to handle perennial questions

such as the high cost of Jesuit education

Page 3: By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral … · 2014-10-26 · Professor of Moral Theology . Boston College School of ... 尨speeches delivered in the Synod Hall\⤀屲Compilat\൩on

Greek "σύνοδος" (synodos) meaning "assembly" or "meeting", semantically synonymous with the Latin word "concilium" meaning "council".

Etymology: “syn+(h)odos” literally “(walking) together on the way”

Long history of Synods throughout Church history, as gatherings for specific reasons and smaller (and less authoritative) than Church councils

No independent formal teaching authority!

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Established by Paul VI to maintain on a smaller scale the collegiality of Vatican II Tri-ennial based on a pre-announced theme A few extra (“extraordinary”) Synods for special reasons—like this one as “preparation” for the regular Synod (2015 25 Synods between 1965-2014 Usually followed by a Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Last Synod on the Family was 1980, followed by Pope John Paul II’s Familiaris Consortio
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Announcement of the theme and release of a preparatory document, inviting feedback from the world’s bishops

Feedback compiled into Lineamenta and A “working document” (Instrumentum

laboris) is released prior to the Synod Selection of ex officio, elected, and special

representatives (named by the Holy Father), including several lay couples

USA Hierarchs: Cardinals Burke, Wuerl, Dolan and Archbishop Kurtz (head of the USCCB)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Opening Mass and opening Addresses “Interventions” by the Synod participants (speeches delivered in the Synod Hall) Compilation of the Relatio which is meant to offer a touchstone for small group discussions Circuli minores (small groups according to languages), assisted by a scribe Compilation of the input of the Circules minores Release of the Synod Final Report Considerably later: Pope’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, which is part of the Papal Magisterium
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Public Questionnaire that Bishops were invited to share “broadly”

Lineamenta and Instrumentum Laboris that acknowledged frankly areas of difficulty and non-acceptance of Church teaching

Frank, and even acrimonious, pre-Synod posturing by members on all points on the ecclesiological spectrum

Far greater secular media attention in the secular press given to the run-up, reporting and post-Synod analysis

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81, Theologian, author of Mercy, retired head of Pontifical Council for Xtian Unity

66, Current Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (soon to be replaced)

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Personalist Approach Doctrinal Approach

Presenter
Presentation Notes
In this volume five Cardinals of the Church, and four other scholars, respond to the call issued by Cardinal Walter Kasper for the Church to harmonize “fidelity and mercy in its pastoral practice with civilly remarried, divorced people”. Contributors include Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, C.S., Robert Dodaro, O.S.A., Paul Mankowski, S.J., Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, John M. Rist, and Archbishop Cyril Vasil, S.J.
Page 8: By Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Professor of Moral … · 2014-10-26 · Professor of Moral Theology . Boston College School of ... 尨speeches delivered in the Synod Hall\⤀屲Compilat\൩on

Pastoral Application Truths of the Faith

Invested with Tradition

But are often “juridical” and can change, be suppressed, or added to without modifying the underlying doctrine

E.g. Friday abstinence or clerical celibacy

Can Develop Grow In

Understanding But De fide definita

(defined articles of the faith) do not “change”

E.g., the Trinity or the 2 Natures of Christ

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The Position of Cardinal Kasper et al. The Position of Cardinal Burke et al.

The primary role of the Sacraments are to help and heal, and thus Reconciliation & Eucharist can (and should) do this.

Admission to the Sacraments is a change in Church discipline

Sacramental Marriage remains indissoluble to death

“Discipline is the mirror of her doctrine”

Denial of the Sacraments acts as a call to conversion

Admission of divorced/remarried would be a sacrilege

Changing this practice would attack Truth and would ultimately harm further the couples now barred from the Sacrament

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Kasper: Proposed Practice Burke: Current Law

Recognizes that the first union may have been sacramentally valid

Recognizes that union is irretrievably broken

Acknowledges culpability, but the penitent(s) are invited to the Sacraments as a form of healing and support

NO second marriage would be celebrated in the Church

A sacramental marriage Ratum et consummatum is valid in the external forum unless a decree of nullity is issued

In the internal forum, coram Deo, there must be “moral certitude” that evidence has been suppressed that would provide a decree of nullity in the external forum

In these quite limited cases the couple may receive the sacraments provided no scandal is given

OR the couple may live as “brother and sister” and receive the sacraments, if scandal is avoided

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Told the prelates they should speak openly, without fear of upsetting him or limiting discussions to things he would want to hear.

Using the Greek term parrhesia -- meaning to speak candidly or boldly, and without fear --"speak with parrhesia and listen with humility."

Working in a synod, the pontiff continued, does not mean prelates should say only what Francis wants to hear. "This is not good!" said the pope.

"A general condition is this," said the pope. "Speak clearly. Let no one say: 'This you cannot say.'"

"You need to say all that you feel with parrhesia," he continued. "And, at the same time, you should listen with humility and accept with an open heart what your brothers say."

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Put together by a special Committee appointed by the Pope

Surprisingly “open” language to those not married in the Church, the Divorced/Remarried, and Gay men and women

Immediate pushback from a number of Synod Fathers from center to right

Dispute over the English translation of the Italian original (Translator Traditor “The Translator is the Traitor”)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/13/0751/03037.html
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Accogliere le persone omosessuali Welcoming homosexual persons Providing for homosexual persons …si prende atto che vi sono casi in cui il mutuo

sostegno fino al sacrificio costituisce un appoggio prezioso per la vita dei partners

it has to be noted that there are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners

there are instances where mutual assistance to the point of sacrifice is a valuable support in the life of these persons.

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The 10 circuli minores: Discussions on a number of issues that emerged during the general meeting; examine the mid-term Relatio text to suggest changes, as well as things to add and remove

3 each English &Italian; 2 each French & Spanish (no more Latin group)

Change in method of Input into Final Document ( no more “that’s not in the Final Document”)

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Replace “Listen, Judge, Act” model with “See, Judge, Act”

Take care not to create confusion in the minds and hearts of our people.

Any sex outside of marriage is never permissible

No admission to the sacraments of divorced and re-married people

Be careful not to imply that certain life-styles are acceptable

No GRADUALITY of DOCTRINE of faith and morals

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Group A, members: Raymond Burke, Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, John Dew, Oswald Gracias, John Hung Shan-Chuan, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Gerard Lerotholi, Soane Patita Mafi, Warnakulasurya Mendis, Gehard Muller, Xavier Munyongani, Vincent Nichols, Peter Okada, William Skurla, Philip Tartaglia, Peter Turkson, Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung, and Joseph Zuza. Helper: Arul Raj Gali. Auditors: Inacio Amandio Chauque, Joan Clements, Stephen Conway, and Ute Eberl. Fraternal delegates: Bishoy, Ndanganeni Petrus Phaswaha. Assistants: Simon Okonkwo Areji and Zachary Swantek.
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“The Church must … have the courage to knock on forbidden doors". …[W]hat we discover surprises us: what we encounter inside is the loving presence of God which helps us to address the challenges of today, no longer on our terms, but in new ways which might otherwise have been unimaginable.”

“Knocking on forbidden or unaccustomed doors involves risk and courage. Fear and anxiety of what we think are forbidden doors may mean excluding opening ourselves to the God who always surprises.”

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Anglicus B (Cardinal Napier of South Africa): George Alencherry, Anthony Borwah, Ignatius Chama, Joseph Coutts, Timothy Dolan, John Ha Tiong Hock, John Hsane Hgyi, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Patrick Koroma, Diarmuid Martin, Wilfrid Napier, John Njue, Arnold Orowae, Tornash Peta, Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Baselios Thottunkal, Socrates Villegas, and Ignace Younan. Helper: Jeffrey Goh. Auditors: Riyadh Azzo, Sanaa Habeeb, Jeffrey Heinzen, Francisco Padilla, and Algirdas Petronis. Fraternal delegates: Hilarion and Benebo Fubara-Manuel. Assistants: Stephen Fawcett and Thomas Kallikat.
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“Examination of possible paths of repentance and discernment by which, in particular circumstances, a divorced and remarried person might participate in the sacraments; and about providing alternatives, such as a deeper appreciation of the classical wisdom and value of spiritual communion.”

Debate over “spiritual communion”: if one can make a spiritual communion with Christ, why not a physical communion?

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Anglicus B
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“the meaning of the law of gradualness, .. should not be understood as gradualness of the law. …

“The aim of recognizing gradualness should be to draw people closer to Christ. Truth and mercy are not mutually exclusive terms, and in proclaiming truth we also proclaim the most profound mercy – that of reconciliation and unity with God; on the other hand, it is in mercy that we find truth.”

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Surprise over the public release of the Relatio Effects of Migration on Family Breakup Biotechnologies pose challenges “No” to the idea of same-sex marriage, but the

Church should appear as an “house open” which appreciates the gifts of everyone of good will who sincerely seeks God.

Need for further study of the Orthodox and other Churches’ practices regarding Divorced and Remarried.

Need to re-examine the annulment procedures Gregory the Great: “The Pastoral Task is the

Proof of Love”

Presenter
Presentation Notes
1) La maggior parte dei padri si è detta sorpresa della diffusione pubblica della Relatio post disceptationem; altri, consapevoli che questa è stata la prassi in precedenti assemblee sinodali, suggeriscono di evitarla nel futuro...2) il fenomeno delle migrazioni spezzi le famiglie con le conseguenze che facilmente possono essere immaginate. 3) Inoltre è stato sottolineato come l’ingresso delle bio-tecnologie abbia ridotto la famiglia a diventare una sorta di "campus" sperimentale con risvolti etici ed educativi di non facile soluzione. 4) come casa aperta, valorizzando i doni, la buona volontà e il cammino sincero di ciascuno. ... 5) Questo vale sia per le proposte di percorsi penitenziali sia per una corretta disanima della prassi propria alle Chiese ortodosse. Vedere in che modo si possono trasportare nella Chiesa latina richiede uno studio ponderato, una presentazione non conflittuale e una soluzione comune nella comunione. 6) si è pronunciato in modo unanime sulla necessità di studiare l’ampliamento dell’esercizio della Potestas Clavium e le condizioni per trattare con procedura giudiziale extraordinaria le cause che non richiedano un giudizio ordinario; si chiede ai vescovi di avviare una pastorale giudiziale accurata, preparando sufficienti operatori, chierici e laici 7) Gregorio Magno: "L’impegno pastorale è la prova dell’amore".
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190 eligible to vote; 183 in the Aula (some abstained from certain paragraph votes)

58 of 62 paragraphs approved by two-thirds or higher of those voting. NO single Paragraph got unanimous support!

Though all paragraphs of the Final Report passed with a majority of the 190 bishops eligible to vote, 3 problematic paragraphs failed to reach the desired two-thirds majority

Pope Francis ordered the document with individual vote tallies to be published

It will likely serve as a foundation for discussion in the 2015 “Ordinary” Synod on the Family

The 4 most “controversial” Paragraphs follow

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Whole document with votes (in Italian) at http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/18/0770/03044.html
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#41Placet 125; Non placet 54 (179 total votes with 69.9% YES and 30.1% NO)

Reached a two-thirds of those voting, but just shy of a two-thirds of those eligible to vote (and so some conservatives report this Paragraph as likewise «failing» to gather the hoped-for two-thirds)

Those voting «NO» probably resisted the appearance tacit acceptance of non-sacramental unions this paragraph might be «read» as allowing.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Mentre continua ad annunciare e promuovere il matrimonio cristiano, il Sinodo incoraggia anche il discernimento pastorale delle situazioni di tanti che non vivono più questa realtà. È importante entrare in dialogo pastorale con tali persone al fine di evidenziare gli elementi della loro vita che possono condurre a una maggiore apertura al Vangelo del matrimonio nella sua pienezza. I pastori devono identificare elementi che possono favorire l’evangelizzazione e la crescita umana e spirituale. Una sensibilità nuova della pastorale odierna, consiste nel cogliere gli elementi positivi presenti nei matrimoni civili e, fatte le debite differenze, nelle convivenze. Occorre che nella proposta ecclesiale, pur affermando con chiarezza il messaggio cristiano, indichiamo anche elementi costruttivi in quelle situazioni che non corrispondono ancora o non più ad esso.
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#52 Placet 104; Non placet 74 (178 total votes with 59.5% YES and 41.5% NO)

This was probably the clearest «defeat» for the Cardinal Kasper bloc, even though they did garner a simple majority of those voting.

It was also the Paragraph least open to «spin» on its meaning.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Si è riflettuto sulla possibilità che i divorziati e risposati accedano ai sacramenti della Penitenza e dell’Eucaristia. Diversi Padri sinodali hanno insistito a favore della disciplina attuale, in forza del rapporto costitutivo fra la partecipazione all’Eucaristia e la comunione con la Chiesa ed il suo insegnamento sul matrimonio indissolubile. Altri si sono espressi per un’accoglienza non generalizzata alla mensa eucaristica, in alcune situazioni particolari ed a condizioni ben precise, soprattutto quando si tratta di casi irreversibili e legati ad obblighi morali verso i figli che verrebbero a subire sofferenze ingiuste. L’eventuale accesso ai sacramenti dovrebbe essere preceduto da un cammino penitenziale sotto la responsabilità del Vescovo diocesano. Va ancora approfondita la questione, tenendo ben presente la distinzione tra situazione oggettiva di peccato e circostanze attenuanti, dato che “l’imputabilità e la responsabilità di un’azione possono essere sminuite o annullate” da diversi “fattori psichici oppure sociali” (Catechismo della Chiesa Cattolica, 1735).
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53. Placet 112; Non placet 64: 176 total votes with 63% YES; and 27% NO

Here the «NO» votes probably were from the more liberal contingent who argued that if people could be encouraged to «spiritual communion» they should also be allowed to receive actual Communion

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Alcuni Padri hanno sostenuto che le persone divorziate e risposate o conviventi possono ricorrere fruttuosamente alla comunione spirituale. Altri Padri si sono domandati perché allora non possano accedere a quella sacramentale. Viene quindi sollecitato un approfondimento della tematica in grado di far emergere la peculiarità delle due forme e la loro connessione con la teologia del matrimonio.
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#55: Placet 118; Non placet 62: Total 180 with 65.5% YES and 34.5% NO

Probably the “key” sentence was Nevertheless, men and women with homosexual tendencies ought to be treated with respect and delicacy

Some probably voted «NO» believing this whole paragraph too watered down; others might have voted «NO» fearing it would signal tacit acceptance of an «intrinsically disordered» orientation

Just one vote switch would have reached Two-Thirds for this Paragraph

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Alcune famiglie vivono l’esperienza di avere al loro interno persone con orientamento omosessuale. Al riguardo ci si è interrogati su quale attenzione pastorale sia opportuna di fronte a questa situazione riferendosi a quanto insegna la Chiesa: “Non esiste fondamento alcuno per assimilare o stabilire analogie, neppure remote, tra le unioni omosessuali e il disegno di Dio sul matrimonio e la famiglia”. Nondimeno, gli uomini e le donne con tendenze omosessuali devono essere accolti con rispetto e delicatezza. “A loro riguardo si eviterà ogni marchio di ingiusta discriminazione” (Congregazione per la Dottrina della Fede, Considerazioni circa i progetti di riconoscimento legale delle unioni tra persone omosessuali, 4).
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Termed the process a cammino which could be translated as a “road,” “process” or even a “pilgrimage”

Acknowledged consolations, tensions, and 5 principal temptations faced by everyone present: Hostile rigidity to the letter of the law OR to ideological

positions rather than leaving ourselves open to the Spirit Don’t seek to “do good” that puts band-aids on wounds

without first treating or healing them Don’t transform stones into bread and bread into stones

to cast against sinners, the weak, and the sick Don’t forsake the Cross in order to adapt to the world Don’t misuse the Depositum fidei either thinking

ourselves its “owners” rather than “guardians” OR don’t’ use language in such a way as to employ many words while saying nothing much at all

Presenter
Presentation Notes
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/18/0771/03046.html [accessed October 18, 2014]
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Media (depending on orientation) list the Final Report as either a major success or resounding defeat for Pope Francis

Odium theologicum (theological hatred) Cardinal Burke acknowledges he’s being

removed from his post, and continues to give quite critical interviews to the Press

Cardinals Burke and Muller (CDF) are the only two at the Mass of Beatification for Paul VI who fail to greet Pope Francis with the customary embrace (reported in the Italian Press)

Presenter
Presentation Notes
La spaccatura nella Chiesa c'è ed è forte, come è emerso anche oggi da un piccolo - ma tutt'altro che insignificante - episodio. Al termine della concelebrazione Papa Francesco ha ricevuto l'abbraccio da tutti i cardinali concelebranti, ma non sono andati a salutarlo Muller e Burke, che più di tutti si sono esposti in questi giorni contro le aperture del Sinodo straordinario sulla famiglia. http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2014/10/19/sinodo-muller-e-burke-non-salutano-papa_n_6010230.html?utm_hp_ref=tw [accessed October 20, 2014]
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“We have many Cardinals and Bishops of the Holy Catholic Church who publicly put God’s law in opposition to God’s mercy! We have Cardinals and Bishops who say that the very words of Jesus, the same second person of the Trinity who suffered and died so that we might live, insufficiently express love!

“Add to this the daily expressions of indifferentism and every other facet of Modernism (see Pascendi Dominici Gregis ) that are promulgated not only without fear of reproach, but with loud praise.

“To say such things and to promote such thinking is cooperation with the devil, the devil that has as its end the destruction of the Church. Whether these persons do this knowingly or unknowingly I cannot say, but I can say that it is evil.” Patrick Archbold National Catholic Register 10 October 2014

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Presentation Notes
[accompanied by an endorsement of the Register by Archbishop Charles Chaput] http://www.ncregister.com/blog/pat-archbold/the-truth-about-this-crisis
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“We have a Pope … whose intentions could not have been more crudely expressed over the past eighteen months of astonishing insults and denigration of practically all the elements of apostolic and ecclesiastical tradition. Francis has clearly been preparing for this moment since the day of his election, if not before, and now it has arrived in all its inglorious splendor.

“Let us call this Synod what it is: a secretive, manipulated, progressive-dominated cabal, led by septuagenarian and octogenarian diehards of the conciliar “renewal,” who are rushing to finish their “work”—so rudely interrupted by Pope Benedict—lest death release the Church from their clutches before they are quite done” Chris Ferrara in The Remnant

“Pope Francis has been authorizing Communion to those in mortal sin for years.” Sandro Magister Espresso

“And as it is Catholic doctrine that the pope is infallible, that he cannot err when speaking ex cathedra on faith and morals, this would imply that Francis was not a valid pope and the chair of Peter is empty.” Catholic politician Pat Buchanan in TownHall.com

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Presentation Notes
http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/1125-the-secret-synod-freak-show-brought-to-you-by-pope-francis [Accessed October 12, 2014] Accompanied by an online petition to “Stop the Synod” ; Sandro Magister blog: http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350910 [accessed October 25, 2014]; and http://townhall.com/columnists/patbuchanan/2014/10/21/the-price-of-papal-popularity-n1907736/page/full#! [accessed October 25, 2014]
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“I was very disturbed by what happened …I think confusion is of the devil, and I think the public image that came across was one of confusion.”

“We also need to thank God for the gift of this present, difficult moment, … . “Because conflict always does two things: It purifies the church, and it clarifies the character of the enemies who hate her.”

(Clarification of above remarks): “To get your information from the press is a mistake because they don’t know well enough how to understand it so they can tell people what happened. … In some cases they’re certainly the enemy and they want to distort the Church.”

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Presentation Notes
From Q&A after the Erasmus “First Thinigs” lecture delivered in Manhatten Monday October 20, 2014. http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2014/10/21/ri-bishop-synod-process-is-rather-protestant/ [Accessed October 22, 2014] and follow-up “clarification”: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-chaput-rejects-false-media-reports-on-synod-comments-78869/ [accessed October 25, 2014]
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“In trying to accommodate the needs of the age, as Pope Francis suggests, the Church risks the danger of losing its courageous, counter-cultural, prophetic voice, a voice that the world needs to hear.”

“The concept of having a representative body of the Church voting on doctrinal applications and pastoral solutions strikes me as being rather Protestant.”

“Pope Francis is fond of ‘creating a mess.’ Mission accomplished.”

“Relax. God’s still in charge.”

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From “Random Thoughts on the Synod” in his Bishop’s Column of October 21, 2014 http://www.diocesepvd.org/from-bishop-tobin-random-thoughts-about-the-synod-on-the-family/ [accessed October 22, 2014]
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Surprisingly little “ink” this cycle, except for Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, who states he believes Providence Democratic mayoral candidate Jorge Elorza is an atheist.

Aruges that even if the Republican is “pro-choice” this means“pro-abortion” support for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Raimondo would be problematic adding in this case the vote should: 1) Choose the lesser of 2 evils candidate 2) Write in a symbolic choice such as Mother Teresa and

St. John Paul II 3) Skip voting in protest

The US Bishops “Faithful Citizenship” though recognizes in fulfilling our duties to vote we must make conscience-based prudential judgments even among imperfect candidates and/or political parties

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Presentation Notes
http://www.golocalprov.com/news/bishop-tobin-questions-if-elorza-is-an-atheist and http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2014/10/bishop-tobin-urges-catholics-to-vote.html 1) On the Lesser of 2 Evils candidate: “Let’s just say, for example, that one candidate promotes an extreme position on abortion, welcomes the endorsement of and eagerly embraces the evil agenda of Planned Parenthood, supports partial-birth abortion, and disdains the sincere convictions of pro-lifers; and another candidate would restrict abortion in some circumstances, opposes taxpayer funding of abortions, and is willing to work with and respect pro-lifers – a voter might properly choose the second candidate even though the position is flawed.” 2) Secondly, as a kind of protest, a voter could decide to write-in the name of someone who represents pro-life values. In this scenario, one might vote for St. John Paul, Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, or our own local pro-life hero, Baby Angela! Even though this person surely wouldn’t be elected to office, a vote in that direction would send a clear signal that at least some voters won’t settle for anything less than a pro-life candidate. Contrary to what critics will charge, it’s not a wasted vote; it’s a sincere expression of conscience that upholds moral truth. And that’s never a waste! 3) Finally, a voter might well decide to skip this year’s election and not vote at all, or at least not vote for a particular office. Although Catholics have a general moral obligation to participate in the life of our nation, there are many ways to do that, and there’s certainly no obligation to vote in each and every election, particularly when the options are repugnant to the well-informed conscientious Christian voter.
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NY Times Columnist Ross Douthat “The Pope and the Precipice” (26 October 2014): “[Conservative Catholics] might want to consider the possibility that they have a role to play, and that this pope may be preserved from error only if the church itself resists him.”

Cardinal George Pell: “Doctrine does develop, we understand truth more deeply, but there are no doctrinal backflips in Catholic history. …The apostolic tradition announced first by Christ and founded in the Scriptures is the touchstone for truth and genuine pastoral practice.”

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Douthat: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/ross-douthat-the-pope-and-the-precipice.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone&_r=1 [accessed October 26, 2014]; Cardinal Pell: http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/cardinal-pell-promises-no-doctrinal-backflips-at-next-family-synod/ [Accessed October 26, 2014]
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Shifting ecclesial landscape ad intra and ad extra

Attitudes toward the “World” & the “Pope” Legal vs. Pastoral Paradigms Deductive vs. Inductive “Reading” of “Truth” Moral analysis of concrete situations Gradualism of the Law OR Law of Gradualism Doctrine & Tradition: Continuity & Change Conflict of Duties & Hierarchy of Truths Primacy of Informed Conscience “Sensus Fidelium” and the “Magisterium”

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The Synod and the Church ad extra The Final Relatio will be accompanied by a

questionnaire and should serve as a working document for the discussion in the local churches over the next year.

Bishops in particular are to discuss this report not only among themselves but also in their own dioceses, with their priests, the lay faithful and especially with families.

Hopefully a spirit and process similar to the first sessions of Vatican II

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In fide, unitas: in dubiis, libertas; in

omnibus, caritas "In faith, unity; in doubt, liberty; in all things,

charity." Attributed to St. Augustine, this is an important

principle of Christian discernment: unity in faith is important, but in cases of doubt a plurality of opinions and practices should be allowed, and the over-riding principle must always be charity towards each other.

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Christ has no body on earth but ours No hands on earth but our hands. Ours are the eyes through which He looks out

with compassion on the world. Ours are the feet with which He chooses to go

about doing good. For as He is the Head, so we are the members and we are all one in Christ Jesus.

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