It is becoming increasingly clear (cf. Cardinal Fernández’s latest statements on Facebook and his response to Cardinal Duka’s dubia) what the newly propagated concept of “synodality” is really about: the dissolution of independent, hierarchical, ecclesiastical authority in terms of doctrine and governance. The ecclesiastical hierarchy is to be leveled in its exercise into democratic – that is, synodal (cf. Anglicanism) – processes.
Authority then exists only in the form of democratic, majority decision-making, which, as far as a doctrinal position is concerned, is to be rubber-stamped by the ecclesiastical authority according to a majority vote (forum externum) or in the form of a sacramental absolution, which may not be denied by the confessors according to the decision of conscience of the penitent (forum internum) but not of the priest as the authoritative judge in concrete, moral questions. Read more…