Dear Friends in Christ,
The Church in Germany has been meeting to decide how they believe the Church should live out the faith especially in the area of morality. While most of the world probably will not give them a lot of attention, in the name of the “synodal way” they are proposing teachings that are totally contrary to what the Magisterium of the Holy Catholic Church teaches. Some of the faithful have come to me to ask what on earth is going on? I, for one, am praying that Pope Francis exercises his role as the Successor of Peter to protect and preserve the faith. His role is not to change the magisterial teachings of the Church, but to be ensure that Holy Mother Church does not go off the rails. The Church should influence the world by bringing Jesus Christ to every aspect of life, rather than the world infiltrating the Church, spreading a cancer of error and confusion within Her body. What is a synod? The definition of a synod is a meeting or gathering of Church leaders. Synods have been part of the Eastern Rite Churches for centuries. The purpose of the synods in the Eastern Rite Churches is not to change doctrine, but merely to clarify it. Pope Paul VI formed synods to consist of bishops elected by their conferences to help the Holy Father clarify particular aspects of how to live the faith. That has been expanded. We are not a democracy in the Church…meaning…we cannot vote for truth. If only one person holds the truth, the ninety-nine can be in error. The idea of listening always comes up a lot, but I am interested in why it is advantageous to expect a young person who is still trying to figure out who they are to address the needs of the Church. I find it odd that we would listen to those who do not hold to what the Church teaches. It is an insult to their belief and not helpful unless it helps us to defend our faith against error. I am all for listening, but I for one, want to seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in how we can make Jesus known and loved. Everything is “through Him, with Him and in Him.” I am not against synods. I simply believe that if they do not lead to greater clarity and to a love in Jesus, the only Savior of the world, then personally, I am not interested. Listening and talking, talking and listening and then more talk so often does not help in spiritual growth. We must kneel down in prayer. I know that I need to listen…listen to God in the Scripture, be sure to know what the Church officially teaches as dogma and doctrine and I want to look to the Church to help in understanding complicated moral issues that challenge our time around sexuality, identity, and the protection of of all human life. The Church is not called to change the Word of God or to adapt timeless, true teachings to the winds of our time. There was a heresy called Arianism which swept the world of faith from around 300 AD and persisting for centuries. This heresy was so widespread, that it almost seemed unthinkable that the Church could correct this error. Great saints who were true theologians and who truly loved the Lord and His Bride the Church, fought to protect and preserve the Catholic faith. They were successful by God’s grace and in their search for what is beautiful and true. We must pray that the Church will not be “a reed, blowing in the wind.” (Matthew 11:7). May She remain strong and true; for the world needs Holy Mother Church and not some cheap imitation. As I mentioned, the Church in Germany is going its own way. Saint Boniface, the great saint to the German peoples wrote, “In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course.” Pray that the Roman Catholic Church will stay on course, the way to everlasting life!
God bless you,
Father Szolack