Do I remember correctly that there's a latae sententiae excommunication attached to revealing the proceedings of a conclave and, if so, what implications does this have for the faithful who are under these cardinals' spiritual care?
I'm absolutely with Ed here in how he read the Synod's letter to the Pope. I think he will dismiss, at the *very* least, Cardinals Grech and Hollerich.
I concur with your and Ed's reading of the Synod's letter. I wish I were enough of an optimist to think Cardinals Grech and Hollerich would be dismissed in the near future. It would certainly be a relief!
I fed the Italian letter and its English translation to ChatGPT and asked whether the letter contained "any subtle messages or undertones a reader might extrapolate from it." Here's the answer, somewhat in line with Mr. Condon's reading:
Yes, there are a few subtle messages and undertones in the letter from the General Secretariat of the Synod to Pope Leo XIV that a close reader—particularly one familiar with Vatican dynamics—might extrapolate:
---
### 1. **Continuity Coupled with Deference**
* **Surface message**: The Secretariat expresses gratitude and enthusiasm for the new pope’s leadership.
* **Subtle undertone**: By repeatedly referencing that Pope Francis initiated the Synodal process and that study groups are merely preparing proposals “to submit to Your Holiness,” the letter walks a careful line between continuity and deference. It affirms Pope Francis's legacy while making it clear the path forward now depends on Leo XIV’s choices.
---
### 2. **A Gentle Nudge Toward Endorsement**
* Phrases like *“we look with confidence to the directions You will indicate”* subtly invite Pope Leo XIV to **endorse and continue the Synodal path**, but without presuming his agreement. This is more than courtesy—it's strategic positioning by the Secretariat to protect and advance a project begun under the prior pontificate.
---
### 3. **Emphasis on Shared Process and Inclusivity**
* The letter repeatedly highlights the **participatory nature** of the Synod (*“entire People of God,” “each person contributes,” “groupings of Churches”*). This may signal a concern that the new pope could lean toward a more centralized or traditional mode of governance, and so reaffirms the theological and ecclesial legitimacy of synodality.
---
### 4. **Obedience with an Edge**
* The final paragraph pledges **“collaboration and obedience,”** which is standard in Vatican correspondence. However, given the potential tension between synodality and papal centralism, this phrase also reads like a reassurance that the Secretariat will remain loyal—even if the pope’s views diverge from theirs. It can also be interpreted as a polite reminder that their obedience is contingent upon the pope’s direction.
---
### 5. **Framing Synodality as Missionary and Pastoral**
* By describing the Church as *“attentive to listening, close to each person, capable of authentic and welcoming relationships,”* the letter subtly aligns synodality not just with Church governance but with **Christian witness and evangelization**—making it harder to reject without appearing anti-pastoral or exclusionary.
---
In sum, this letter is diplomatically worded but strategically framed. It expresses loyalty, encourages continuity with Pope Francis’s synodal vision, and positions the Secretariat as both cooperative and watchful under the new pontificate.
I disagree with Ed that Pope Leo’s pontificate necessarily extends from Francis’s. He is an entirely different person and I think his pontificate should be looked at as its own thing. The fact that he was elected by a college of cardinals that were primarily appointed by Francis is somewhat irrelevant based upon the fact that Francis himself was elected by a college of cardinals that was entirely appointed by JPII and Benedict, and his pontificate was definitely not an extension of either of theirs.
These days must be traumatic for Pope Leo; he had to undergo an immediate detachment from what he’s familiar with including detachment from his religious community life.
Presumably, every dicastery and office of the Roman Curia has sent or will be sending Pope Leo XIV a description of the state of affairs in their office, such as pending canonizations or episcopal appointments. Is the Synod Office the only office that has made its informational letter to the Pope public? I think this point is the key to whether Ed's or JD's interpretation of the letter is correct.
I think that Pope Leo can take a middle road with Synodality — not renouncing it and not pursuing it the same as Francis. He can implement select aspects of it. Read the Final Document and decide what, canonically, is reasonable to implement. When all of the reports of the study groups come in, he just sets them aside unless something of particular value can be implemented. The implementation can be done in conjunction with the planned assembly in 2028. The implementation is then put into law. Finally, a bow is put on it and that's the end of it. This could bring about unity and put an emphasis on continuity. Personally I'd prefer that he just cancel synodality altogether, but that will not bring unity to the Church. Plus the Church can benefit from better listening to a broad range of opinions.
We were listening in the van about the honeymoon period. My 16 year old said, "It's weird to hear Ed talk like this." Me: "Like what?" 16yo: "All happy." 😂
Good to know the curmudgeon persona is working.
I personally am enjoying the honeymoon. The local "Catholics talk Politics" WhatsApp has never been such a happy place!
https://www.synod.va/en/news/the-general-secretariat-of-the-synod-writes-to-pope-leo-xiv.html
Thank you. It has a link from that page to read it in Italian, so I did.
Do I remember correctly that there's a latae sententiae excommunication attached to revealing the proceedings of a conclave and, if so, what implications does this have for the faithful who are under these cardinals' spiritual care?
I'm absolutely with Ed here in how he read the Synod's letter to the Pope. I think he will dismiss, at the *very* least, Cardinals Grech and Hollerich.
I read the letter the same way as Ed as well.
I concur with your and Ed's reading of the Synod's letter. I wish I were enough of an optimist to think Cardinals Grech and Hollerich would be dismissed in the near future. It would certainly be a relief!
I fed the Italian letter and its English translation to ChatGPT and asked whether the letter contained "any subtle messages or undertones a reader might extrapolate from it." Here's the answer, somewhat in line with Mr. Condon's reading:
Yes, there are a few subtle messages and undertones in the letter from the General Secretariat of the Synod to Pope Leo XIV that a close reader—particularly one familiar with Vatican dynamics—might extrapolate:
---
### 1. **Continuity Coupled with Deference**
* **Surface message**: The Secretariat expresses gratitude and enthusiasm for the new pope’s leadership.
* **Subtle undertone**: By repeatedly referencing that Pope Francis initiated the Synodal process and that study groups are merely preparing proposals “to submit to Your Holiness,” the letter walks a careful line between continuity and deference. It affirms Pope Francis's legacy while making it clear the path forward now depends on Leo XIV’s choices.
---
### 2. **A Gentle Nudge Toward Endorsement**
* Phrases like *“we look with confidence to the directions You will indicate”* subtly invite Pope Leo XIV to **endorse and continue the Synodal path**, but without presuming his agreement. This is more than courtesy—it's strategic positioning by the Secretariat to protect and advance a project begun under the prior pontificate.
---
### 3. **Emphasis on Shared Process and Inclusivity**
* The letter repeatedly highlights the **participatory nature** of the Synod (*“entire People of God,” “each person contributes,” “groupings of Churches”*). This may signal a concern that the new pope could lean toward a more centralized or traditional mode of governance, and so reaffirms the theological and ecclesial legitimacy of synodality.
---
### 4. **Obedience with an Edge**
* The final paragraph pledges **“collaboration and obedience,”** which is standard in Vatican correspondence. However, given the potential tension between synodality and papal centralism, this phrase also reads like a reassurance that the Secretariat will remain loyal—even if the pope’s views diverge from theirs. It can also be interpreted as a polite reminder that their obedience is contingent upon the pope’s direction.
---
### 5. **Framing Synodality as Missionary and Pastoral**
* By describing the Church as *“attentive to listening, close to each person, capable of authentic and welcoming relationships,”* the letter subtly aligns synodality not just with Church governance but with **Christian witness and evangelization**—making it harder to reject without appearing anti-pastoral or exclusionary.
---
In sum, this letter is diplomatically worded but strategically framed. It expresses loyalty, encourages continuity with Pope Francis’s synodal vision, and positions the Secretariat as both cooperative and watchful under the new pontificate.
JD, you still sound sick as a dog! I hope you feel better soon!
me too.
Hopefully some hot tea, hot soup, and ice cream can help soothe your throat!
I disagree with Ed that Pope Leo’s pontificate necessarily extends from Francis’s. He is an entirely different person and I think his pontificate should be looked at as its own thing. The fact that he was elected by a college of cardinals that were primarily appointed by Francis is somewhat irrelevant based upon the fact that Francis himself was elected by a college of cardinals that was entirely appointed by JPII and Benedict, and his pontificate was definitely not an extension of either of theirs.
These days must be traumatic for Pope Leo; he had to undergo an immediate detachment from what he’s familiar with including detachment from his religious community life.
Team Ed on the synodality letter, and while I don’t have a jersey, I did buy a picture of Leo to put up in my house 😉
Presumably, every dicastery and office of the Roman Curia has sent or will be sending Pope Leo XIV a description of the state of affairs in their office, such as pending canonizations or episcopal appointments. Is the Synod Office the only office that has made its informational letter to the Pope public? I think this point is the key to whether Ed's or JD's interpretation of the letter is correct.
I think that Pope Leo can take a middle road with Synodality — not renouncing it and not pursuing it the same as Francis. He can implement select aspects of it. Read the Final Document and decide what, canonically, is reasonable to implement. When all of the reports of the study groups come in, he just sets them aside unless something of particular value can be implemented. The implementation can be done in conjunction with the planned assembly in 2028. The implementation is then put into law. Finally, a bow is put on it and that's the end of it. This could bring about unity and put an emphasis on continuity. Personally I'd prefer that he just cancel synodality altogether, but that will not bring unity to the Church. Plus the Church can benefit from better listening to a broad range of opinions.
We were listening in the van about the honeymoon period. My 16 year old said, "It's weird to hear Ed talk like this." Me: "Like what?" 16yo: "All happy." 😂
Good to know the curmudgeon persona is working.
I personally am enjoying the honeymoon. The local "Catholics talk Politics" WhatsApp has never been such a happy place!