The Church has failed to properly instruct her members in basic Catholic teaching. The recent “synthesis” presented to the United States of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as part of the Synod of Synodality, is an indictment on catechesis in America. This document, presented as the representative of American Catholicism demonstrates a profound lack of basic Catholic understanding of human sexuality, ordination, and communion.
In this article, I lay out the faulty beliefs reflected in the “synthesis.” I then offer correction to the false understanding directly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Finally, I provide suggestions to correct the discrepancy in Catholic catechesis. The current state of poor catechesis needs no normalization. A bishop’s first responsibility is to the souls of his flock. Poor catechesis places those souls in danger.
Examples of Poor Catechesis in the “Synthesis”
The Synod of Synodality represents an attempt by the Church’s hierarchy at an openness to listening. Convened in 2020, the synod offered everyday Catholics in the pews an opportunity to share their hopes and aspirations for the Church in the 21st century. Sadly, the “synthesis” of those hopes and aspirations show an inadequate understanding of Church teaching and what ability the Church has to change her doctrine. For example:
The most common desire named in the synodal consultations was to be a more welcoming Church where all members of the People of God can find accompaniment on the journey. The synodal consultations mentioned several areas where there existed a tension between how to walk with people while remaining faithful to the teachings of the Church, “for many, the perception is that the blanket application of rules and policies is used as a means of wielding power or acting as a gatekeeper.” [emphasis added]
And
Closely related to the wound of polarization is the wound of marginalization. Not only do those who experience this wound suffer, but their marginalization has become a source of scandal for others, especially for some youth who perceive the Church as hypocritical and failing to act consistently with justice toward these diverse communities…The second group includes those who are marginalized because circumstances in their own lives are experienced as impediments to full participation in the life of the Church. Among these are members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons who have been divorced or those who have remarried without a declaration of nullity, as well as individuals who have civilly married but who never married in the Church. Concerns about how to respond to the needs of these diverse groups surfaced in every synthesis. [emphasis added]
Finally
Nearly all synodal consultations shared a deep appreciation for the powerful impact of women religious who have consistently led the way in carrying out the mission of the Church… Ordination for women emerged not primarily as a solution to the problem of the priest shortage, but as a matter of justice. [emphasis added]
Rules and Gatekeepers
“…for many, the perception is that the blanket application of rules and policies is used as a means of wielding power or acting as a gatekeeper.”
The two key words here are “rules” and “gatekeeper.” Another way to state the above is: the Church expects its members to seek holiness (rules) and my disagreement with this has consequences (gatekeepers).
2013 “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” All are called to holiness: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” In order to reach this perfection, the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ’s gift, so that . . . doing the will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor.
2015 The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes: He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows.
Properly catechized Catholics understand the role holiness. They realize that rules are not merely rules. They also understand that sin has consequences.
The Scandal of Marginalization?
“…marginalization has become a source of scandal for others, especially for some youth who perceive the Church as hypocritical and failing to act consistently with justice toward these diverse communities… Among these are members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons who have been divorced or those who have remarried without a declaration of nullity, as well as individuals who have civilly married but who never married in the Church. Concerns about how to respond to the needs of these diverse groups surfaced in every synthesis.”
Moreover, the scandal in the above paragraph of marginalization means that the Church, via her teaching, acts unjustly toward those in the LGBTQ+ community and divorced Catholic without an annulment. Translation: the Church teaching that homosexual acts are sinful and those who remarry without an annulment commit adultery equate to injustices to the youth (and many adults) in the Church.
2357 Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
And
1665 The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They will lead Christian lives especially by educating their children in the faith.
The Scandal of Sin?
Furthermore, the Church provides an opportunity for full reconciliation to the divorced Catholics through the annulment process and the sacrament of Reconciliation. The ultimate goal of all Catholics is heaven. The Church must provide guidance and counsel on how to reach that goal. Sin causes pain, suffering, and ultimately death—both physical and spiritual. The Church teaches us to avoid sin and seek holiness. If one seeks holiness, the pain and suffering caused by sin lessens, if not ceases altogether. Sin is poison. Love does not encourage an ingestion that leads to death.
Will those who die in sin care about supposed “injustice” as they suffer eternally in hell? No. A properly catechized Catholic understands this.
Justice or Power?
“Ordination for women emerged not primarily as a solution to the problem of the priest shortage, but as a matter of justice.”
When Jesus called the twelve Apostles but did not count among them Mary Magdalene or Mary the Mother of God, did He act unjustly? According to the “synthesis,” He did. The Catechism disagrees.
1577 “Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination.” The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.
The Divine Logos, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity is incapable of sin and therefore of committing injustice. If Catholics believe Jesus is God then they must also believe His reasons for excluding women, even His blessed mother, did not originate from ill intent. A properly catechized Catholic understands this.
A Needed Course Correction in Catechesis
In conclusion, below I offer suggestions on how to improve catechesis in the Catholic Church.
- Deacon, Priests, and Bishops to teach proper Catholic doctrine during the homily. Especially teaching about sin, forgiveness, and holiness without fear.
- Regularly offer classes at the parish level on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Require all those going through RCIA to attend classes on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Bishops must provide an example of steadfast fidelity to Church teaching.
Moreover, the emphasis on a “pastoral” approach has contributed to poor formation. Catholics think they can pick and choose which doctrines to apply to themselves or not. A shepherd also knows when to correct his sheep. We need shepherds willing to correct those in the Church with courage and conviction.
A Final Appeal to All Bishops
Recently, in Ireland, a priest gave a homily fully in line with Catholic teaching. He spoke about sin, forgiveness, and holiness. Some in the parish, upset, let the bishop know their disapproval. Did this bishop back up the parish priest? No, the bishop apologized for Catholic teaching! No wonder many in the Church know so little of Church teaching. If shepherds of souls apologize for Church teaching, what hope exists for common laypeople?
Dear Shepherds of Souls,
Please help us reach heaven. We need your help and correction when we sin. The world tells us we do not need God or His Church. It tells us we do not sin. It tells us true love means to embrace the sin in our own lives. That this embrace is true freedom. Do you believe we sin? Do you believe we need freedom from our sin? If so, please tell US! Please encourage us to live holy lives that anticipate heaven. If most of our existence is either heaven or hell, please help us get to heaven. You have a dire responsibility in the eyes of the Lord. Therefore, He holds you to greater account than the rest of the faithful. If we fail to reach heaven by your unfaithfulness, God will hold you to account. I pray you and I enjoy heaven together, forever.
I support you and your mission as a shepherd of the Church. You are not alone. Millions of faithful Catholics stand on your side as you stand for the truth. We pray you have the courage to stand against the power of this world. Again, please help us get to heaven. God bless you!
Therefore. Moreover
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