I'LL BET THAT THIS IS NEWS TO MOST OF YOU, CATHOLICS AND OTHERS.
 
Just completed is half of a SYNOD ON SYNODALITY, authorized by Pope Francis to bring 
together a broad representation of both Clergy and Laity to discuss numerous elements
of Catholic Teaching and also subjects at the fringes of discussion.
 
This action was partly stimulated by prior similar action taken in recent years by the German Clergy, 
action which seemed to bring up uncomfortable memories of Martin Luther. 
It was also seen by some as a desired continuation of Vatican ll and the "Aggiornamento" of 
Pope John XXlll. 
But the driving force has been the desire of Pope Francis, after the quiet Papacies of 
John Paul ll and of Benedict, to "re-open the window" to both ancient and current religious
doctrine and problems. 
 
This is, in my opinion, a welcome departure from the persistent effort  - mainly by some elements 
of the clerical Magisterium since the 1970's, to see that some of the work of Vatican ll would Die Aborning.
 
In fact, I have been conducting my own personal "Synod" since that time, posted Faithfully on the "Catholic Church" section 
of this web-site. 
 
THIS IS IMPORTANT.
The Catholic Church, both spiritual and humanly organized for two millennia, has served as a
critical foundation for Man, that Creation of God intentionally and imperfectly gifted with Free Will. 
That foundation is again of great importance as the world again teeters on the edge of World War.
See: "WORLD DISORDER IS SPREADING FAST", by Walter Russell Mead (in WSJ September 26, 2023, pA13). 
 
The best reportage I have found on the Synod On Synodality to date appears in the current issue of 
National Catholic Register: November 5 - 18, 2023. These articles should be studied in toto:
1) "A Synodal Long Game?..., by Jonathan Liedl, p1: an in-depth and objective review;
2) Two articles by Soline Tadie, p7: both definitely critical of the process and of the presumed goals.
 
The second meeting of the Synod will convene in October, 2024. Meanwhile, we will surely witness 
related activity, including both dialogue and acrimony. And I believe that, throughout all of this,
Pope Francis will "keep his pedal to the metal".  THANK GOD FOR THAT. 
 
GS