Episode 2595: The Synod of Synodality: Are they Redefining the Faith

The Synod of Synodality: Are they Redefining the Faith?
Welcome, everyone, to another episode. Today, we dive deep into the heart of the ongoing Synod on Synodality a moment some believe is reshaping the Church. Are we witnessing a natural evolution, or are these changes placing our faith on dangerous ground?
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we ask You to send forth Your Holy Spirit to strengthen us in defending the Faith. Guide us with Your wisdom and love, helping us discern what is true and resist confusion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Shifts in Doctrine: A Troubling Trend
Right from the start of the Synod, two leading cardinals and the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) shifted focus away from preserving the Faith. They emphasized restructuring the Church’s operations and changing ethical teachings, especially regarding human sexuality and relationships like those discussed by Fr. James Martin.
The shift began with a controversy in 2021. The CDF issued a clear statement signed by Pope Francis declaring that blessing same-sex couples was impossible. Yet, the current Synod seems poised to reopen that conversation. Anticipating this, five cardinals, including Cardinal Zen, presented formal dubia questions to Pope Francis, hoping to reaffirm the earlier stance and avoid wasting time during the Synod.
Dubia Controversy and Mixed Messages
This set of dubia was submitted last summer. Unlike earlier ones, these received a swift response but it wasn’t what many expected. The response, dubbed fiducia supplicans (Faithfulness in Supplication), gave a nuanced approval for blessing certain couples under specific circumstances. This directly contradicted the 2021 ruling, confusing both clergy and laity. Some, including Cardinal Zen, saw the reply as part of a broader agenda orchestrated by the Synod’s leadership.
What troubles me is how the pope’s answer seemed pre-prepared by Synod organizers, undermining the bishops. Cardinal Zen’s attempt to get clarity has been criticized as confrontational. But isn’t it our responsibility, as Catholics, to wrestle with difficult issues? Shouldn’t the laity be part of these debates? Hiding the truth does more harm than good.

The Synod’s New Voting Structure: Breaking Tradition?
This Synod is also unprecedented in size and format. For the first time, 96 non-bishops about 26% of participants have been given voting rights. This change fundamentally alters the Synod’s nature, shifting it away from a gathering of bishops advising the pope. As Cardinal Müller remarked, this isn’t the Synod of Bishops anymore it’s something entirely different.
Pope Paul VI instituted the Synod of Bishops so the pope could consult with his brother bishops. If voting power is shared with non-bishops, this undermines the hierarchy established by Christ. The Synod’s focus seems more aligned with democratization than unity in truth.
Modernism at Play: A Return to Relativism?
Another alarming trend is the push for decentralization. Proposals suggest that bishops' conferences could independently redefine doctrine to fit local customs. If implemented, this could splinter the Church, much like what happened in the Anglican Communion. Cardinal Müller warns that if this continues, the Church risks losing its Catholic identity altogether.

We’re seeing this play out with cultural accommodations like blessings for same-sex unions in the West and polygamy allowances in Africa. Such compromises are dangerous. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). The truth isn’t up for negotiation.
Silencing Debate: The Risk of Schism
What’s even more unsettling is the suppression of discussion. The Synod’s leadership emphasized sharing and prayer, but meaningful debate has been avoided. The same pattern emerged in previous Synods, including the Pan-Amazon Synod. Documents full of radical ideas were issued, only for Pope Francis to release more moderate but still problematic follow-up statements.
And the issue of same-sex blessings seems poised to reappear, despite efforts by faithful bishops to stop it. The pope recently assigned questions from the 2023 Synod to study groups, postponing discussions until next year. This delay only prolongs uncertainty. Meanwhile, advocacy groups like New Ways Ministry openly promoting doctrinal changes continue to gain traction.

Call to Action: Defending the Faith in Prayer and Action
The faithful must remain vigilant. As Cardinal Zen advises, this is a time for prayer and fasting. But we must also speak out. "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
We should pray that the Synod concludes smoothly and that the pope resists pressures to change Church teaching. The Synod isn’t just about administration it’s about the soul of the Church. If bishops lose their authority to teach and govern, the Church risks becoming a loose federation of local churches, no longer united in the truth.
Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts
Let us close with a prayer for the Church.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we entrust Your Church to Your care. Strengthen our bishops, guide them in truth, and protect the faithful from confusion. May Your Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows, intercede for us during these turbulent times. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you for joining us today. Remember, as St. Paul reminds us, “Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14). Keep praying, stay informed, and defend the faith.
Until next time, may God bless you and keep you in His truth. Stay strong in the faith!
And please, as always don’t take your eyes off what’s happening. Pay attention to the developments of the Synod. This isn’t just a procedural change it’s about the future of our Church. Let’s keep praying that the Holy Spirit guides this process to a faithful conclusion.