Lots of Taboo Stuff is Being Discussed in Rome

The Catholic Synod on Synodality has a large group from all over the world. It is closed to the press and public but those attending do talk to the press. At the opening session, statements were allowed from advocates of female clergy, GLBT+ and from Africa, polygamy. While these are claimed by the Vatican as not on the horizon, study groups and committees continue meeting and preparing position papers. The Vatican is not saying these meetings or groups must stop. It is not promising either that anything will change.

The Vatican is good at hinting things might change but not going very far with changes. Abortion was like that for decades. There was a hint abortion might someday be outlawed. In the meantime, cash flow was maintained by putting restrictions like waiting periods and forcing women to look at ultrasound images. Nearly all the Forced Birth industry liked this system of good revenue but low expectations.

The same strategy will go on forever with women in the clergy, gay marriage/clergy and polygamy. There will more decades of gatherings and smiling meetings with Popes. Some progress has been made with gay marriage--priests can marry without calling it a marriage that is blessed. This is a wink wink with, no doubt, some prayers.

Women have been meeting with Popes for hundreds of years looking for an opening for female priests. Do any of them think they are wasting their time? Each decides for herself of course. Thinking one is part of some great change that may, or may not, happen someday may be more satisfying to some women than leaving for some other denomination or line of work. Money is raised for this work and volunteers are there so it remains in play.

The actual effect of this refusal to allow women clergy has to include declining numbers of Catholics. If there were a motto for refusal to change by Catholics and certain Protestant denomination it would be, "We'd rather be dead than admit we were wrong."