The Nifty Strategy of Popes Francis and Leo



A surprise report published by the Vatican today confirmed what I have thought for years. I've never seen a certain silent policy discussed explicitly so don't take my word it is official or documented. It is hinted about only. 

It starts with a project birthed by the late Pope Francis called "synodality." It is the same process used in all kinds of situations and projects. Before a new building is built architects hold meetings to hear many ideas about what should be included. State, local and federal governments hold hearings and listening sessions. Pope Francis signed off on money for holding listening meetings all over the world. The comments would be summarized and consolidated the submitted periodically in Rome. Francis knew this would result is lots of pressure to accept gays, women and married priests in ways not permitted currently. He knew conflicting positions can and will continue to exist within the denomination. New positions are adopted without the old ones being ruled out. The old ones are just forgotten and ignored. Pope Francis knew that if the public had the impression the Catholic Church accepted gays and divorced people it would help membership even if the old, prejudiced positions remained buried in its books. 

The result of this strategy was published recently by Rome. This was a report of comments by gay Catholics and their straight supporters. They criticized their own denomination. There was no push back by Vatican officials. Gay rights advocates were surprised at what was approved for publication by the Vatican. This, of course, was the goal of Pope Francis and approved of by Pope Leo. It goes under the overarching goal of clergy ministering and helping those in the pews. 

Critics are crying about publishing these disagreements. Rules are rules. If rules are not important there is no Catholic denomination. Popes, however, know time will take care of this opposition. These old cranks will die off and generations to come will barely know the cranks ever existed or that there remain buried in papers somewhere rules the cranks were trying to keep in play. 

Anyone interested in this Catholic system of conflicting rules can look at the Catholic Encyclopedia. If you enter some question like "Is X a sin?" you will see first old rules with dire consequences. Then discussion will morph into later things written in reports and Vatican studies. The conclusion will change over time. The new is what applies even though the old was never removed from official positions.    

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