Vatican's Synod on Synodality Sparks Controversy Among US Conservative Catholics

 

   The Vatican's month-long Synod on Synodality, convened by Pope Francis to discuss the future of the Catholic Church, has ignited debates and concerns among conservative American Catholics. This gathering of hundreds of delegates from around the world is contemplating potential significant changes to Catholic orthodoxy, including matters related to same-sex unions and the ordination of women as priests. Notably, this synod marks the first time that women are participating as delegates.

The synod serves as a platform for church leaders and laypeople to engage in discussions about strengthening the church's well-being. Since the 1960s, it has brought together delegates from the global church to address evolving issues. The current synod is the first part of a multi-year process that will culminate in Pope Francis' decisions in 2024, addressing contentious topics such as celibacy and divorce.

In the lead-up to the synod, conservative Catholics, particularly in the United States, have expressed concerns about the potential liberalization of church policies. The synod began shortly after a letter from Pope Francis became public, in which he contemplated blessing queer couples and the potential ordination of female priests.

Pope Francis acknowledged the traditional definition of marriage as an 'exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to conceiving children.' However, he also emphasized the need for pastoral charity and discernment, suggesting that there may be forms of blessing that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage. Regarding female priesthood, Pope Francis called for a study of the issue but maintained the church's current rules prohibiting women's ordination.

While some view these statements as a minimum step toward inclusivity, conservative American Catholics are deeply concerned. They fear that the church is shifting away from scripture and their own conservative ideology. Reverend Gerald Murray, a priest in New York City, expressed concerns that the pope might authorize changes that contradict Catholic doctrine, such as women deacons or blessings for gay unions.

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, a vocal critic of Pope Francis, was among those who sent the pope a letter seeking clarification on his stance. He suggested that some invoke the Holy Spirit to advance a political and human agenda rather than a divine and ecclesiastical one.

Pope Francis has maintained a complex stance on queer and women's rights, allowing women to read from the Bible during Mass but opposing women's ordination. He has called for understanding and compassion toward queer individuals but still views homosexuality as a sin. Francis encourages local discernment, allowing different regions to apply church teachings as needed.

The potential divide between global and local interpretations and implementations of these changes could mean that American Catholics may not experience them uniformly, even if they are endorsed by the pope.

American Catholicism has experienced divisions, with some aligning themselves with conservative politics. Figures like Milo Yiannopoulos and Steve Bannon have advocated for reining in Pope Francis, claiming he should be more traditional. Yiannopoulos, in particular, has called to 'make the Vatican straight again' and 'make America homophobic again.'

Pope Francis appears unperturbed by the criticism from American Catholics, urging everyone to 'move on' despite the disagreements.