Pope Leo Continues Pope Francis' "Synodality". What Does that Mean



I'm guessing there is much hand wringing by right wing Catholics about something hidden in the weeds. They were strongly opposed to Pope Francis' "Synodality." Why did they oppose it? Why are they mad about the new guy keeping it?

As an outsider, the Catholic seem to operate in this way. The Pope is an "ultimate" authority, but he cannot outrun the millions of members. Priests are supposedly ordained by Jesus but they live off collection plates like Protestants. As times change, the succession of Popes needs to navigate a changing world which includes changing Catholics.

Except, the most recent Pope Benedict. This guy did not come out of parish life but was a professor. He thought he had the freedom to read stuff and declare to everyone what it meant. During a Christmas message he condemned gay marriage. What does that have to do with the birth of Jesus?

Francis and now Leo have a theory that if you talk opposition to change to death, a little change can go forward. So they require endless listening session in parishes around the world and clergy are supposed to write up what people say. What people say is poured into a pot in the Vatican and conclusions drawn. The Vatican is swamped with these reports, people demanding opposing measures, and probably can do little with it. If people are made to think they have a voice in things, many might not leave that otherwise would have. And then there is the possibility there will be one change endorsed by most Catholics that can be actually implemented. I have not heard of this happening so far but who knows?

The slim possibility of this latter change frightens the Catholic right. It knows there must be no change from what they believe and the Synodality process scares them. 

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