By Fr. Joachim Heimerl
Recently, someone asked me, "Excuse me, Father, what exactly is synodality?"
I admit: I was surprised. After all, we think that everything now revolves around "synodality," but in reality the term does not seem to have caught on among believers; it exists only in the bubble of ecclesiastical officials. They do not realize that there are more important things than "synodality," nor that the Church has functioned without it for two thousand years. Instead, they claim that the Church is "synodal" by nature. This is so historically and theologically wrong that it just makes you want to shake your head.
But back to the question, "What exactly is synodality?".
I would have liked to answer, "Synodality is nonsense," and, indeed, it is. But there is extremely dangerous nonsense, and that is the case of "synodality". Therefore, "synodality" is not something to be ignored, but something to be understood and, above all, fought against. It is not uncommon for the worst things to arise from bad actions, especially when they are labeled with stupid slogans. - So, is synodality a "stupid" word?
Let me put it this way: it is "stupid" only in the sense that it is a meaningless neologism that can be filled with whatever one wants.
For this reason alone, it is more a political term than an ecclesiastical one, and this is also evident from the fact that this term has never existed in ecclesial language: "synodality" does not appear in any conciliar text. At bottom it is pure fantasy, a platitude that can be used to make good politics. There is nothing more to it.
The fact that "synodality" somehow sounds like "synod" is nothing more than a beautiful illusion; it suggests a historical continuity that does not exist at all: "synodality" has absolutely nothing to do with the great synods that existed from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, nor, for that matter, with the "synods of bishops" that Paul VI created in 1965. Since Francis assigned the theme of "synodality" to the current Synod of Bishops, "synodality" has become synonymous with "division." In short: with the current "synod on synodality," the Church is at a crossroads.
Of course, this is also because this "synod" is not a "synod of bishops" in the sense of Paul VI, but rather a blatant fraudulent label: in the "synodal synod", bishops and laity advise and are specifically directed by a "synodal secretariat". - Let us call a spade a spade: this "synod of bishops" is a political-ecclesiastical travesty, comparable at best to a party congress in China.
Therefore, the Francis' mission is clear: the 'synod' must give him support for his 'reforms': the recognition of homosexuality and the diaconate for women are the minimum goal. Furthermore, in the medium term, the Church should become a decentrally organized lay Church; in short: 'Una sancta' should in future be made up of regional Protestant churches and led by lay people.
To achieve this, Francis gave the synod the aura of a Vatican Council III - and the explosive power of an ecclesiastical split. After all, many Catholics are fed up with the pope constantly speaking out against Church teaching and resorting to the trick of a "super synod" to do so.
That is why the "Synod Secretariat" is decisively pre-empting critical voices by stating in all seriousness that the direction of the "world synod" belongs to the Holy Spirit. Everyone knows that this is a bluff, and not even a Council could claim the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, this maneuver gives 'doctrinal' authority to the Synod; and no one dares to question this official propaganda, which, by the way, takes us back to the party congress in China.
Anyone who wonders what 'synodality' really means can see the gist here: 'synodality' is the idea of manipulating the Church to turn it inside out. What has never been Catholic must become so without further ado.
The "synodal way" in Germany has already demonstrated this, and now the Super Synod is merely imitating it. In the end, both paths lead to the same goal: the substantial restructuring of the Church, which could also be called destruction.
That is why Francis clearly lets the German bishops do what they want, while otherwise he rules with an iron fist. If the Germans are too hasty, at most a cardinal prefect will rant, but nothing will happen. Despite open heresy, no bishop loses his office. Why? Basically, the Germans are overzealous pupils of their Roman master. They have tried the "synodal way". Now the Pope can create the desired facts with the Super Synod. - At least since the controversial blessing document "Fiducia supplicans" we know where this leads: to the selling out of the Holy Scriptures and a departure from divine revelation and the tradition of the Church.
Those who today speak of "synodality" speak, therefore, of a Church that has lost its supernatural faith and has degraded itself to the NGO. This "Church", which has rightly been called the "Church of Francis", is no longer Catholic and has no response to the lack of faith of our time. On the contrary: it has itself become part of this lack of faith and will end up perishing in it.
- This is the reason why the true Church, which is Catholic and Apostolic: it is NEVER 'synodal'!
If one day he were asked what "synodality" means, perhaps it would be better to say: "Synodality is not Catholic".
https://www.marcotosatti.com/author/wp_7512482/