ROME—Today’s post is a collection of how Catholic LGBTQ+ advocates and other reform-minded congregations have responded to the conclusion of the synodality conference. Click here to read the New Ways Ministry’s statement on the Synod’s final document.
LGBT+ Catholics Westminster admitted the synod’s final document “failed to use the LGBT+ acronym” but excluded some people because of their “marital status, identity or sexuality” It commended the recognition in paragraph 50 that people continue to feel pain due to this. The group’s response continued:
“This report highlights the multiple contexts (paragraphs 18-20) in which the Church is called to respond to the diverse needs of God’s people. It underpins many of the report’s recommendations in developing and including those who are marginalized by the church and society. It also supports pastoral and doctrinal considerations on so-called “controversial topics.” It also refers to the authority of the local church in developing the current and future path of the church. ”
DignityUSA said in a statement that the synod document “will disappoint and frustrate many who participated in and followed the global process,” including pro-LGBTQ+ Catholics. Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke further commented:
“Many Catholics are already committed to working for a more just and inclusive Church for LGBTQIA+ people, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, and many others who don’t yet feel fully at home.” We encourage people to continue this vital work in their parishes and independent Catholic communities so that our Church truly embraces the synodal changes the report calls for. If we can do that, we will get fairer and better pastoral care over time.”
James Martin (SJ), a delegate to the Synod of Fathers, praised the outcome of the outreach as a positive step for LGBTQ+ people. Martin made seven points about why this synod is actually good for LGBTQ+ issues, all of which stemmed from his remarks. “I was surprised to see how conversations about LGBTQ Catholics have become friendlier, more relaxed, and more open this year.”
In his own point, Martin defended the exclusion of “controversial” issues from study groups, saying it “facilitates open and friendly conversations about the subject.” He said it was because not using the word “LGBTQ” seemed to “allow people’s voices to be heard more,” as some people see the term as “inflammatory.” He also said delegates who were skeptical last year are now friendly to him and asking honest questions, so “there may be some conversion going on.” suggested. Martin concluded, in part:
“[T] There is a general consensus here that the church needs to reach out to LGBTQ people, even if that word is not used. (Frankly, the inclusion of the word “identity” is [in paragraph 50] That was a pleasant surprise for me. )
“Second, over the past two years, more than 350 Catholic leaders around the world, including cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, religious men and women, and lay leaders, have made LGBTQ-friendly statements in ways never known before. That’s certainly a good thing you may have heard about people.
“Third, thanks to the Synod, this topic has become more “on the agenda” for the universal Church. It takes time for this topic to mature in certain cultures and dioceses, but the topic is now more “out”. ”
Former Irish president Mary McAleese called the synod’s document “a big yawn of words that means absolutely nothing,” adding in part:
“There is nothing in this report that DDF could not have written in half a day before the synodal circus began. Look at the results of the recent two-year diocese in Ireland, trying to peddle believers who peddle all this awful trite protectionist language designed to avoid recognition. Reminds me of the conference, whose main recommendation was that we should have a cup of tea after Mass. This is more valuable than the Synod’s final report on synodality.
The Council on the Ordination of Women said in a statement that the synod document was “an inadequate and disappointing response to a multi-year process aimed at responding to the needs of today’s church.” The organization argues that the ordination of women can apply to LGBTQ+ issues as well.
“Endless ‘research’ on women is a stalling strategy of patriarchy by ordained men to maintain the status quo. Determine when it is “ripe” for action. And doing so comes at an immeasurable cost. The Church has lost generations of women who endured the pain and humiliation of having to prove the validity of their vocation. How long should women wait? Or, more consequentially, will women wait? ”
We Are Church International, a coalition of church reform organizations, issued a statement saying, “Equality is not to be found in the Synod.”
“Despite initial high hopes for the synodal process, it reverted to a patriarchal, father-knows-best hierarchical model. Agreement was reached regarding the selection and participation of the faithful, especially women, in future synods. The removal of the 10 study topics from the synod and the elimination of the discussion of women in the ordained clergy has completely undermined the synodal process. The reforms needed will come from the communities and the Church, not from Rome. The decentralization proposals in the final conference document could facilitate these reforms.
Cracks editor John Allen Jr. wrote that the synod did not lead to as big a change as many had expected or feared, but instead ended with “fundamentally cautious and non-revolutionary results.” I wrote an analysis of why. Allen explains:
“One explanation is that the conservative minority at the conference spoke above its weight; another is fatigue among the participants as a whole from the debate that erupted last time and a desire to end it in a peaceful atmosphere.” Perhaps it was desire. But most importantly, it steered the synod toward a soft landing, leaving most of the issues off the table and sending a signal that it wanted to focus on the journey, not the destination. I have to say it was Pope Francis.
“Perhaps there are other perspectives to consider, but in a time of deep division and polarization, it is important for the Catholic Church to undertake such a large-scale consultative effort, even if no one is completely satisfied, to ensure that the final In fact, the fact that we managed to get everyone together should be considered a small miracle. If you think about it, maybe it’s not so trivial after all.”
Cardinal Jean-Claude Holerich of Luxembourg, Prefect of the Synod, addressed the Catholics seated with the following words:
“Over time, they will see that the church is where they are valued, where their talents, gifts, and life experiences matter. That’s why.
The last notable response comes from Pope Francis. Once the final document was approved and the general assembly concluded, the pope announced that he would accept the document of the congress as his catechism, rather than issuing his own post-synodal doctrinal document, as is customary. . Francis explained:
“I do not intend to publish an apostolic exhortation; what we have approved is sufficient. This document already contains very specific suggestions that can guide the mission of the Church in particular continents and situations. This is why I am publishing this immediately and why I said it should be published. In this way, I want to recognize the value of the synodal journey that has been accomplished. Through this document, I hand it over to God’s holy and faithful people.
“This document, by its diversity of expression, is a gift to all the faithful people of God. It is clear that not everyone will read it. It is primarily up to you, along with many others, to make it accessible. Without the evidence of lived experience, the text will lose much of its value.”
—Robert Shine (he/him), New Ways Ministries, October 29, 2024
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