"The revised text also lays out the features of the synodal council, saying that its decisions would have 'at least the same legal effect as the resolutions of the synodal assembly.'"
And what, exactly, is that effect? Is this just an advisory panel (no big deal, at least procedurally speaking) or is it an abdication of authority by the bishops (very big deal)?
Hey Pillar team, I think you all need to do a deep dive into “synodal” structures in the Eastern Catholic Churches. Otherwise, I can easily see a situation in which we English-speaking Latin Catholics start attacking proposed structures that already exist among our united brethren. Or else, you can show how these proposed structures in no way resemble those established ones.
The Church is at her weakest when she tries to use the power and wealth of this world, for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. The Church is at her strongest when she has nothing to lose, for in her weakness God's strength is perfected.
Probably the synod will try to use power and wealth to remove bishops who do not go along with their agenda, but popes have been known to do that too. Let the power and wealth be handled by the laity and the priests devote themselves to prayer and preaching. And if they take even the cathedrals away, like barbarians, the priests can continue preaching and praying.
At the end of the day I don't think this is the worst idea. The Russian Orthodox Church and her daughter churches (OCA) have had synodal processes that include laity that make real decisions. Certain decisions are reserved to the bishops. Why couldn't a similar structure work in a segement of the latin Catholic Church.
I think the real conflict here is not the synodal structure itself but an argument over Vatican 1. Many Germans (correctly I think) believe the universal church is the confederation of local churches with Peter as its head. But you also have the more Roman thread of the argument that the universal church preceeds the local church as the essential constitutive element of the Church.
That argument remains at the heart of the SynodalWeg issue. Not gay marriage or women priests.
In the East "permanent synods" are composed only of the Patriarchs, bishops and the heads of some monastic communities. This is not what the Germans are proposing. Two very different things
I am afraid the German Church is walking on very thin ice! I don’t know where to begin to mention all the many things that are just not a part of the church’s mission & purpose!
"The revised text also lays out the features of the synodal council, saying that its decisions would have 'at least the same legal effect as the resolutions of the synodal assembly.'"
And what, exactly, is that effect? Is this just an advisory panel (no big deal, at least procedurally speaking) or is it an abdication of authority by the bishops (very big deal)?
Hey Pillar team, I think you all need to do a deep dive into “synodal” structures in the Eastern Catholic Churches. Otherwise, I can easily see a situation in which we English-speaking Latin Catholics start attacking proposed structures that already exist among our united brethren. Or else, you can show how these proposed structures in no way resemble those established ones.
The Church is at her weakest when she tries to use the power and wealth of this world, for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. The Church is at her strongest when she has nothing to lose, for in her weakness God's strength is perfected.
Probably the synod will try to use power and wealth to remove bishops who do not go along with their agenda, but popes have been known to do that too. Let the power and wealth be handled by the laity and the priests devote themselves to prayer and preaching. And if they take even the cathedrals away, like barbarians, the priests can continue preaching and praying.
At the end of the day I don't think this is the worst idea. The Russian Orthodox Church and her daughter churches (OCA) have had synodal processes that include laity that make real decisions. Certain decisions are reserved to the bishops. Why couldn't a similar structure work in a segement of the latin Catholic Church.
I think the real conflict here is not the synodal structure itself but an argument over Vatican 1. Many Germans (correctly I think) believe the universal church is the confederation of local churches with Peter as its head. But you also have the more Roman thread of the argument that the universal church preceeds the local church as the essential constitutive element of the Church.
That argument remains at the heart of the SynodalWeg issue. Not gay marriage or women priests.
In the East "permanent synods" are composed only of the Patriarchs, bishops and the heads of some monastic communities. This is not what the Germans are proposing. Two very different things
I am afraid the German Church is walking on very thin ice! I don’t know where to begin to mention all the many things that are just not a part of the church’s mission & purpose!