This is just more proof that if those who promote synodality get their way, everyone will have to choose between synodality and the teachings of Vatican II.
Those who seem most concerned about gaining authority - be they clerical or lay - never really seem to say much of anything about mental prayer, evangelical poverty, fasting, or any of the other facets of the ascetic life...
"Vatican Council II — whose theology is meant to be reflected in the 1983 Code of Canon Law — and reshape the council as the beginning of a theological evolution, rather than a concrete and deliberative act of ecclesiastical magisterium."
Or... Vatican II was a revolution, and in the eyes of many of its ardent adherents (even in senior levels o the Church).... a new religion. That it need not be so does not distract from the fact it is indeed so in this way of thinking.
And I think we're reaching the reality of Leo inhabiting a weak papacy, irrespective of his own personal strengths or weaknesses. until the office is willing to tackle directly if Vatican II was a revolution, and definitively sideline those who advocate it is a new religion, the too cute by half political shuffles Rome has attempted will just continue to weaken their authority.
"By all available evidence, Pope Leo is trying to restore peace, normalcy, and a sense of stable governance to the life of the Church."
Unfortunately, I think normalcy and stable governance are nigh on mutually exclusive in the wake of the Francis pontificate. A return to normalcy would require the reversal of a lot of policies and the removal of a lot of people from their positions. And that, of course, is the opposite of stable governance.
The Holy Father seems to be well aware of this, and he seems to have deemed stable governance to be the higher priority. I just hope normalcy still does come at some point, too.
While I don't think that Pope Leo will accept many, if any suggestions in the document, I also question whether or not he will correct ongoing practices that violate canon law (such as canon law on episcopal vicars which as pointed out in the article, is already being publicly violated in places like Germany). I haven't seen any evidence that he has the stomach for these kinds of actions, as unpopular as they would be in a certain (and powerful) segment of the Church, and I have been increasingly getting the feeling that he thinks these kinds of problems can simply be put off or tolerated indefinitely, left alone as a secondary concern to "unity".
Excommunicating the SSPX is easy - they are already despised universally among progressive types, and most conservatives aren't going to speak up in their defense even if they sympathize with some of their complaints. He was never going to face serious pushback or criticism from people inside or outside of the Church for doing something like that. Taking on self-established "reformers" in Germany, Belgium, Italy, and elsewhere is the real test for Pope Leo if he truly wants to prove that he is trying to unify the Church. I'm not sold yet that he's serious about this objective.
This is just more proof that if those who promote synodality get their way, everyone will have to choose between synodality and the teachings of Vatican II.
Just an observation:
Those who seem most concerned about gaining authority - be they clerical or lay - never really seem to say much of anything about mental prayer, evangelical poverty, fasting, or any of the other facets of the ascetic life...
But that's none of my business **sips tea**
But Fr., that’s because you already have it! /s (except not likely sarcastic)
The older I get (I'm in my early 40s), I tend to think the people who have a deep seated desire for authority probably shouldn't have any.
"Vatican Council II — whose theology is meant to be reflected in the 1983 Code of Canon Law — and reshape the council as the beginning of a theological evolution, rather than a concrete and deliberative act of ecclesiastical magisterium."
Or... Vatican II was a revolution, and in the eyes of many of its ardent adherents (even in senior levels o the Church).... a new religion. That it need not be so does not distract from the fact it is indeed so in this way of thinking.
And I think we're reaching the reality of Leo inhabiting a weak papacy, irrespective of his own personal strengths or weaknesses. until the office is willing to tackle directly if Vatican II was a revolution, and definitively sideline those who advocate it is a new religion, the too cute by half political shuffles Rome has attempted will just continue to weaken their authority.
"By all available evidence, Pope Leo is trying to restore peace, normalcy, and a sense of stable governance to the life of the Church."
Unfortunately, I think normalcy and stable governance are nigh on mutually exclusive in the wake of the Francis pontificate. A return to normalcy would require the reversal of a lot of policies and the removal of a lot of people from their positions. And that, of course, is the opposite of stable governance.
The Holy Father seems to be well aware of this, and he seems to have deemed stable governance to be the higher priority. I just hope normalcy still does come at some point, too.
While I don't think that Pope Leo will accept many, if any suggestions in the document, I also question whether or not he will correct ongoing practices that violate canon law (such as canon law on episcopal vicars which as pointed out in the article, is already being publicly violated in places like Germany). I haven't seen any evidence that he has the stomach for these kinds of actions, as unpopular as they would be in a certain (and powerful) segment of the Church, and I have been increasingly getting the feeling that he thinks these kinds of problems can simply be put off or tolerated indefinitely, left alone as a secondary concern to "unity".
Excommunicating the SSPX is easy - they are already despised universally among progressive types, and most conservatives aren't going to speak up in their defense even if they sympathize with some of their complaints. He was never going to face serious pushback or criticism from people inside or outside of the Church for doing something like that. Taking on self-established "reformers" in Germany, Belgium, Italy, and elsewhere is the real test for Pope Leo if he truly wants to prove that he is trying to unify the Church. I'm not sold yet that he's serious about this objective.