Episode 2587: The Synod on Synodality: Threat of Novelty

A few days ago, Pope Francis made a statement that has left many Catholics unsettled. He said, “Unity is a grace from God and an unexpected gift... but we do not know what the unity to which we are called will look like.” Now, on the surface, this sounds poetic, but for those grounded in Catholic tradition, this introduces dangerous ambiguity. The Church has always taught that unity is not an unknown ideal; it is unity in Christ and His truth.
The Church’s unity has always been marked by consistency in doctrine, fidelity to the Roman pontiff, and adherence to the Deposit of Faith. But if we are now being asked to embrace a new, evolving form of unity, this risks introducing what St. Paul warned against “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:8). The question we need to ask is: If this “new unity” departs from Catholic unity, can it truly be from Christ?
Synodality, Power Shifts, and the Future of the Church
We have a lot to cover on the growing impact of synodality within the Catholic Church, and how Pope Francis’s latest moves are reshaping not only Church doctrine but also the global power dynamics within Catholicism. We’ll explore how this synodal shift stands in stark contrast to the Four Pillars of the Church—Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer pillars that formed the foundation of pre-Vatican II Catholic life. Let’s dive right in.

Part 1: The Power Shift Behind Synodality
Pope Francis has just announced several key appointments during his latest consistory, and it’s no coincidence that these appointments reflect the pope’s personal loyalty network. A career diplomat, Prelate Emeritus Gianfranco Acerbi, was elevated within the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which many interpret as a clear message to the Order. Francis’s efforts to reform Malta have been nothing short of disruptive, with loyalists experiencing significant challenges amid these changes. This isn’t just about diplomacy it's about consolidating influence.
From Latin America to Europe, we see the same pattern. Take, for example, Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio, the Archbishop of Lima. Known for his progressive leanings, Castillo was created a cardinal, shifting the traditionally conservative archdiocese. Similarly, Fernando Chomalí of Santiago, Chile, has been elevated to the College of Cardinals another move signaling the pope’s intent to challenge long-standing Church norms.
In Ecuador, it was not the capital's archbishop in Quito who received the red hat, but rather Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera from Guayaquil. In Brazil, Jaime Spengler, Archbishop of Porto Alegre, was promoted. Most striking, though, is the elevation of Vincenzo Bocalic Iglic from Santiago del Estero in Argentina. His new role as primate of Argentina represents a strategic maneuver to consolidate Francis’s influence back home, rebalancing a power dynamic still haunted by tensions with Archbishop Héctor Aguer, the pope’s old nemesis.
These moves are more than just political they’re about ensuring ideological unity in preparation for the future of the Church.
Part 2: Undermining the Four Pillars of Catholic Life
Creed: Diluting Doctrinal Clarity
The Creed has long been the Church’s foundation, a declaration of objective truth. In the pre-Vatican II Church, the Creed unified believers in shared doctrine. However, synodality introduces ambiguity, emphasizing experience and dialogue over definitive teaching. This shift risks turning the Creed into a personal interpretation, undermining core truths such as the exclusive salvific role of Christ.

Francis’s recent appointments reflect this trend. Several new cardinals, including Timothy Radcliffe and those aligned with the controversial Synodal Way in Germany, are pushing for doctrinal flexibility. The pope appears less concerned with upholding traditional orthodoxy and more interested in fostering a Church aligned with contemporary ideologies.
Sacraments: Eroding Sacredness
The sacraments, as instituted by Christ, have always been central to Catholic life. However, synodality’s push for inclusivity now challenges this sacredness. Take the case of the Syro-Malabar Rite, which has faced internal strife over adopting more Novus Ordo-like liturgies. Although Vatican II insisted that Eastern rites maintain their distinct traditions, efforts to modernize them have persisted. Pope Francis has intervened here, but even in doing so, his approach reflects pragmatism rather than fidelity to tradition.
Additionally, his appointments in Africa a continent traditionally seen as holding the line on orthodoxy include cardinals loyal to his progressive vision, signaling a desire to correct the region’s resistance to changes in sacramental discipline, such as the admission of those in irregular unions to the Eucharist.
Commandments: Compromising Moral Truth
Pre-Vatican II teaching stressed the immutable nature of the Ten Commandments as a guide to moral living. Today, synodality introduces a dangerous ambiguity in applying these moral laws. Rather than calling for repentance, synodality promotes accompaniment, as seen in the Vatican’s softer stance on irregular unions and same-sex relationships.
The recent consistory reflects this moral ambiguity. Archbishop Mariniello in Lima, for example, has promoted a more progressive pastoral approach that blurs the line between accompaniment and condoning sinful behavior. And even in Africa, where bishops previously opposed these shifts on doctrinal grounds, synodality is urging them to adopt new cultural perspectives to make "James Martin-style pairings" acceptable within their communities.
Prayer: From Vertical Worship to Horizontal Activism
The pillar of Prayer has also been fundamentally altered. Traditional forms of worship, such as the Latin Mass, directed prayer toward God in reverence and adoration. Today, synodality emphasizes horizontal relationships community-building over contemplative prayer.
Pope Francis’s decisions reflect this shift. His reform of the Vicariate of Rome has eliminated the historic center sector, ignoring the advice of local clergy. This decision was made verbally, bypassing institutional protocols, further highlighting his preference for governance without accountability. Such moves indicate a Church more concerned with activism than with cultivating personal holiness through prayer.
Part 3: Geopolitical Messages and Ideological Alignment
Francis’s criteria for choosing cardinals are clear: personal loyalty, geopolitical symbolism, and ideological alignment. For example, the appointment of an Australian Greek Catholic patriarch as a cardinal is more about signaling alignment with Francis’s agenda than about genuine Eastern representation. Similarly, the decision to appoint cardinals from historically conservative regions, like Japan and Hungary, suggests an intent to reshape these areas into more progressive territories.

The pope’s autocratic style is evident throughout these appointments. He governs unilaterally, making decisions without consultation or transparency. His emphasis on ideological unity ensures that the future conclave will be stacked with cardinals loyal to his vision, cementing the shift toward a synodal Church.
Conclusion: The Future of the Church and Your Thoughts
It’s clear that the new synodal model is not just about dialogue it’s about reshaping the very foundation of the Church. The Four Pillars: Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer are being compromised to fit a modernist agenda.
The ultimate goal? To solidify a Church that aligns with Pope Francis’s progressive vision, creating a new ecclesial face, one that theologians like James Martin promote. This shift is already underway, and the passing of Pope Benedict XVI has only accelerated it.
So, what do you think? Do you see synodality leading to a Church that fully embraces modern relativism? Or is there still hope for a return to tradition?

We know this is a tough topic, one that can stir up emotions. But it’s essential to understand what’s at stake here not just for the Church but for the future of souls.
A Call to Faithfulness
So where does that leave us? For traditional Catholics, these developments are deeply troubling. But we must remember that our foundation is not in man but in Christ. As Jesus told us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” No synod, no pope, and no bishop can change the truths that Christ entrusted to His Church.
Here is a structured analysis explaining how the new synodality model contrasts with the Four Pillars of the Church Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer as traditionally upheld in pre-Vatican II magisterial teaching.
________________________________________
The Creed: Compromising Doctrinal Clarity
The Creed is the foundation of Catholic faith, a summary of the objective truths revealed by God. In the pre-Vatican II Church, adherence to the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds was essential for maintaining unity in doctrine. Every Catholic was bound to profess these truths in their fullness, with the magisterium ensuring theological clarity and orthodoxy. However, synodality places undue emphasis on subjective experiences and individual interpretations of faith. By promoting dialogue over definitive teaching, synodality risks reducing the Creed to a matter of personal belief, undermining the non-negotiable truths of faith.
This shift conflicts with St. Paul’s exhortation to “guard the deposit of faith” (1 Timothy 6:20). Where the Church once functioned as a guardian of objective truth, synodality seems to dilute essential dogmas—such as Christ's unique salvific role—by suggesting that multiple paths may lead to salvation. This relativism stands in opposition to the Creed, which proclaims, “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ.”
________________________________________
The Sacraments: Eroding the Sense of Sacredness
The sacraments, as instituted by Christ, are outward signs that confer grace. Pre-Vatican II teaching emphasized their divine origin, with each sacrament closely linked to the life of the faithful—particularly the Eucharist, understood as the “source and summit” of the Christian life. However, synodality, with its focus on inclusivity, has fostered debates about sacramental access, even to those living in situations contrary to Church teaching, such as divorced and remarried Catholics or same-sex couples.
This trend threatens the integrity of the sacraments by prioritizing human acceptance over divine law. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre noted that the liturgical changes following Vatican II, including the introduction of cultural adaptations, weakened the faithful's sense of the sacred. Similarly, the synodal emphasis on enculturation, as seen in discussions around the Amazonian Rite, risks further diluting the universality of the sacraments, which were meant to unite the Church under one faith, not accommodate local customs at the expense of liturgical uniformity.
________________________________________
The Commandments: Moral Compromise and Confusion
The Ten Commandments have long been the moral compass for Catholics, guiding them to live according to God’s law. Pre-Vatican II magisterial teaching stressed the immutable nature of these commandments, reminding the faithful that moral truths do not change with time or culture. However, the synodal approach tends to emphasize accompaniment over conversion, suggesting that people can be in "irregular" situations without being called to repentance.
This departure from traditional teaching reflects a softening stance on sin, downplaying the call to holiness and repentance in favor of pastoral leniency. For example, rather than calling individuals to conform their lives to the moral law, synodality often advocates for the Church to change its stance to better accommodate personal situations. This compromises the Church’s prophetic role, as illustrated by Jesus’s command: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
________________________________________
Prayer: Replacing Vertical with Horizontal Worship
Prayer, as taught in the pre-Vatican II Church, was primarily directed toward God, reflecting the vertical dimension of faith: the soul's encounter with the divine. Central to this pillar was the Traditional Latin Mass, with its emphasis on reverence, silence, and adoration. Prayer was seen not merely as communal activity but as the soul’s ascent to God. The Rosary, novenas, and Eucharistic adoration were also encouraged as personal devotions that deepened the faithful's relationship with God.
In contrast, synodality’s emphasis on communal dialogue and consensus shifts the focus from the vertical to the horizontal. Prayer is increasingly understood as a collective experience oriented toward community building rather than adoration of God. This shift risks reducing the Church’s prayer life to mere activism, neglecting the need for personal conversion through silent contemplation and intimate union with God. The synodal embrace of new liturgical forms that reflect local cultures further detracts from the timeless spiritual beauty of the traditional forms of prayer.
________________________________________
Conclusion
The new synodality, with its emphasis on dialogue, inclusion, and accommodation, represents a significant departure from the Four Pillars of the Church: Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer. These pillars are interconnected, forming a cohesive whole that guides the faithful in every aspect of the Christian life. Pre-Vatican II magisterial teaching emphasized the unchanging nature of these elements, ensuring that the Church remained rooted in objective truth and divine grace. By shifting the focus from doctrinal clarity to pastoral flexibility, synodality risks fragmenting the Christian life, weakening the Church's ability to guide souls to salvation. The pillars of the Church are not mere suggestions but essential components of a life centered on Christ. Undermining them through synodal innovations threatens to obscure the path to eternal life.
This synodal process may introduce confusion, but our response must be clarity. We must hold fast to the teachings of the Church, resist novelty, and pray for those in positions of authority who are leading others astray. As Catholics, we are called to unity but unity in truth, not in compromise.
Closing Prayer
Let’s close with a prayer for wisdom and courage:
Heavenly Father,
We ask for Your grace in these turbulent times. Strengthen our faith so that we may remain steadfast in Your truth. Grant us the wisdom to discern what is from You and what is not. Help us to stand firm against the tide of novelty and error, and guide Your Church back to the path of righteousness.

We pray for Pope Francis, the bishops, and all Church leaders, that they may be faithful to the Gospel and lead Your flock with clarity and courage. Through the intercession of St. Vincent of Lérins, may we always preserve the faith without compromise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.