There's certainly angst over the upcoming Synod on the Family. I've been catching snippets from Rorate Caeli and John Zmirak's Twitter feed. Rorate Caeli seems to think the pro-gay position is already baked into the outcome. Zmirak has all-but stated he's prepared to leave the Church for the Antiochian Orthodox Church (although Zmirak is so sarcastic, it's impossible to know whether he's joking or not).
I write my Monday "Miscellaneous Rambling" weekly column on Sundays, then program it to post shortly after midnight. I'm typing this one on Sunday morning but posting it immediately, since it pertains to the Synod. There will be no Monday Miscellaneous Rambling column, but one will appear on Tuesday.
Pope Francis' opening remarks at the Synod would appear to favor an orthodox outcome (see Reuters story). But I don't trust Reuters, and I sure as heck don't trust the gay mafia that is so active inside the Vatican these days. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the MSM slants coverage in a way that makes a pro-gay outcome more defensible.
So I decided to read Pope Francis' opening comments from a few hours ago.
It is possible to look at a few passages and conclude that Pope Francis is setting the stage for a pro-gay outcome, but overall, the address simply doesn't seem to do this. In fact, the statement appears to be exactly what the Synod is purportedly supposed to be about: marriage and offering pastoral support for those who are divorced. Here are a few passages, with my highlighting, that, I think, support my perspective:
This is the introduction to his address: This Sunday's Scripture readings seem to have been chosen precisely for this moment of grace which the Church is experiencing: the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the family, which begins with this Eucharistic celebration. The readings centre on three themes: solitude, love between man and woman, and the family.
He made men and women for happiness, to share their journey with someone who complements them, to live the wondrous experience of love: to love and to be loved, and to see their love bear fruit in children
This is God's dream for his beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in their mutual gift of self. It is the same plan which Jesus presents in today's Gospel: “From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female'. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.”
[T]he Church is called to . . . carry out her mission in truth, which is not changed by passing fads or popular opinions.
Based on these passages, I'm not presently harboring great concerns about the Synod.
A few caveats:
First, I have not followed the whole Synod pre-game discussions as closely as I would have liked. I don't consider myself an observer knowledgeable in current ecclesiastical affairs. If my perspective is naive, I'll readily admit it.
Second, Pope Francis dedicates the first thrust of his address to the problem of "solitude." If this is going to be the theme of the Synod, I could see where a pro-gay argument could erupt: "Solitude is one of the modern world's greatest problems. These people, born with a sexual proclivity they didn't choose, have a right to companionship."
Third, there is a legitimate fear that the Vatican bureaucracy, which, depending on your viewpoint, is either hopelessly in thrall to the gay mafia or, alternatively, too influenced by it, is going to push through its agenda, whether or not the Pope is on board.
Regardless, the faithful need to be steeped in history. The Church has undergone more severe inside trials than this. The novelty theologians have been plaguing Rome since the beginning. Orthodoxy has always prevailed. Keep the faith.
