Edward Pentin for PCH24. Progressives want to usage the synod to push forward their agenda

Synod of Synodality is not going in the right direction; the liberal side is trying to usage it to push forward its agenda. However, as always, the best defence against specified trials is simply the Holy Spirit – tells the portal PCh24.pl experienced Vaticanist and correspondent “National Catholic Register”, Edward Pentin.

Paweł Chmielewski, PCH24. For what intent was the Synod of Synod of Synodality called in the Lord’s estimation?

Edward Pentin: The Synod was convened due to the crisis in the Church, whether due to sexual abuse or financial corruption, a decrease in the number of people going to Mass and deficiency of vocations, all those problems that the Church has. I think that was the apparent cause. On the another hand, the synod is utilized by the liberal side to push its agenda. They have been doing this since the 2014 household synod. In my opinion, we are now dealing with another installment of this process. The Liberal website uses the synod to give its program a fresh impetus. They believe that the present Pope gives them a chance to accomplish the goals they have been pursuing for decades.

Do you think that the Catholic Church in Africa can be the kind of wall that will break this agenda?

It's possible. But I think the Holy Spirit will be the best wall. In any matters, the Holy Spirit can act through African bishops. You gotta remember what the fight is about. I think it will not be a strong word if we call it an effort to usurp the authority of the Church by the liberal wing so that the Church becomes more focused on the man of boredom on Christ. delight note that at all these press conferences around the synod there is truly no mention of Christ. Nobody's talking about him being downtown. There's always a man in the center.

How does the pope himself view this? On the 1 hand, the Vatican frequently rejects various German ideas, and on the another hand, the cardinals were at the head of the synod process. Jean-Claude Hollerich, a large friend of the German Synod Road...

Exactly. I'm not talking about all this due to the fact that it's my opinion; I'm saying it on the basis of facts. And the facts are this: if you look at people who have been appointed as leaders on this synod, they all have liberal views, or at least a vast majority of them. It's a strong signal indicating where it's going, or at least where many would like to push things.

How's the women's deacon? At 1 of the press conferences, even Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, speaking on behalf of all of Africa, declared a fundamental non-opposition to specified a deaconate, unless it was sacramental. Can the deaconate of women be the “fruit” of the synod?

I think it's possible. All of this affects the Church's acceptance of secular values – equality, women's rights and so on. In the Church, however, it was never there. It is not about women having no rights, of course, they have them – but the secular way of reasoning affects the Church today. The message of Cardinal Ambongo mentioned by you was interesting, due to the fact that he made it very clear that the sacramental Deacon of women was no longer on the table. If so, why is the deacon all the time? After all, as we realize it today, the deaconate is connected with the sacrament of holiness. I wonder why in all this discussion no another word is utilized to describe service to the Church.

The Church is in a crisis and it is improbable that this will change now. However, many people look with hope, for example, at conventional liturgy environments. Is there a place from which healing can come?

That's a good question, due to the fact that you don't hear the liturgy issue being debated on the synod. German Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck said at 1 of the press conferences that there are no priests, so possibly we should bet on another solutions. He didn't say it directly, but he pointed to the question of women being ordained... I wonder why he didn't pay attention to conventional conventions? They're full of vocations. Meanwhile, no one's paying attention to the synod, no one's asking their opinion, no one's consulting them...

In conclusion, are there good reasons for concern?

This does not look good, things tend to be going in the incorrect direction according to those who respect the apostolic tradition. Eventually, however, I trust in the Holy Spirit. Like I said, he may be the best barrier for all those who want to transform the Church into a community focused on man, not God.

Thank you for talking to me.