A Synod of Shattered Expectations, by Stephen P. White

By Stephen P. White, The Catholic Thing, Oct. 5, 2023

Stephen P. White is executive director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America and a fellow in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

Note: Be sure to tune in tonight (Thursday, October 5th) at 8 PM Eastern to EWTN for an extraordinary episode of ‘The World Over,’ when the Papal Posse (host Raymond Arroyo, TCT Editor-in-Chief Robert Royal, and Fr. Gerald E. Murray) will be joined by Edward Pentin, Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register, and Cardinals Raymond Leo Burke and Gerhard Ludwig Müller to discuss the Synod on Synodality: its opening days and its possible impact on the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Check your local listings for the channel in your area. Shows are usually available shortly after first airing on the EWTN YouTube channel.

The long-anticipated Synod on Synodality is upon us. After years of preparation and planning, after tireless efforts to build enthusiasm and encourage participation, the Vatican is trying to temper expectations.

A few days ago, the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith tried to downplay expectations for this October’s meeting. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández insisted, “People who are afraid of strange or misplaced doctrinal advances, and people who, on the other hand, expect great changes, are going to be really disappointed.” …

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