Synodality & the Spirit | National Catholic Reporter

Synodality & the Spirit | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect that most of the Curia and many bishops don't like to think of subsidiarity (not to mention solidarity and personality) as things they have to consider when governing the Church - which is also a dead give away to how they feel about the faithful.  Of course, those who object to democracy in the Church are not far from the same kind of feelings.  There are others who get it, like Archbishop Cupich - who even though he was transferred in could likely have been at least re-elected - should we return to ancient norms. It is wonderful how he reminds us that the Spirit (including of prophesy) speaks through the entire Church, not just the clergy or even the theologians.  Is this a Hegelian process?  Only if the people use a Hegelian dialectic.  Still, Hegel was correct in his observations on the evolution of God (or more likely of the idea of God - which is plain to anyone who compares the Tenach and the Gospels).



The Pope's comments on objective norms turn curial reasoning on its head.  It is assumed that a logical and traditional moral argument is, in fact, natural law.  If by objective, Francis means one based on evidence, not just reason, then this is huge news - and in which case Francis would be correct.  This would also sew the seeds for junking Humanae Vitae (at least in part) and the crass statement that gays are disordered (which would depend on who is discerning the natural order).



I had not heard any of our Orthodox brothers express profound pain.  I think the correct emotion is pity.  Does their version depend on more connection to the Spirit?  Probably, since the Spirit is Love and is concerned with people who they are, not how we think they should be based on our own closed loop morality.  Of course, reality likely means accepting that divorce may be a good thing in some cases, so remarriage would not be an occassion for penance.  I am not sure how Burke's letter is appropriate, since we are talking about sex and relationship here, not Voice of the Faithful finding Cardinal Law and bringing him to le Guillutine.  It would apply, of course, to clergy who wish to cut off hope for the long suffering in families (and I would still include gay families).



I would conclude by saying that our young theologians should look at comments like mine, which come with study but without formal training in theology.  Sadly, I doubt our young heros will cast that wide a net.