First, dear reader and fellow Knight, allow me to put you at ease with something to keep in mind as you hear or read what is in the final document: whatever is in the document it, like Cdl. Raymond Burke has said: "has nothing to do with changing doctrine". Indeed a synod can not change doctrine as it simply advises the Pope. The Pope will then write an exhortation which without expressly saying so is not infallible. With that in mind on to the less than good news about this synodal document.
Married priesthood is indeed mentioned. Some would say allowing Priests to marry would be a good thing. Yet it is important to realize a married Priest is a heart divided. Jesus said you can not serve two masters and though Jesus was speaking of mammon in that text the general idea applies.
St. John Paul II said in his document on the family that marriage is a mutual total self-giving. How then can a priest give himself totally to two spouses, both church and wife?
This is to say nothing of the fact that no ordained man will be affected by any change to priestly celibacy. The sacraments have a hierarchy. Holy orders are higher than marriage. One cannot simply step down to a sacrament. Also, once a promise is made, such as to not marry, one can not renege.
The document also mentions the female deacons which I would advise you see my article "why matter, matters" found here: https://knightsofchristendomblog.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-matter-matters.html?m=0
The final document says "further study is needed" Translation: we need to figure a way around the form and matter.
There is mention as well of an Amazonian rite. It states "This would add to the rites already present in the Church, enriching the work of evangelization, the ability to express faith in one's own culture and the sense of decentralization and collegiality that can be expressed by the Catholicity of the Church,"
When I read this I was sickened by the attempt to attach this "Amazonian rite" to the ancient and beautiful eastern rites. To attempt to make them the same is insulting. Yet perhaps the most dangerous part in that statement is the words "decentralized" and "collegiality". The Church is a monarchy and they want to decentralize it? Is that not at the heart of collegiality to take more and more authority form the chair of peter?
This document, as said, does not change doctrine but it does wound the church. It waters down the traditions of the church to a greater extent. Enemies of the Chruch, both within and out, will use this time and again to assail the traditional teachings of the Chruch. Who knows, maybe that is the point.
Please leave any constructive criticism in the comments below.
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