Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun delivered a forceful critique of synodality at the extraordinary consistory of cardinals this week, decrying the process as an \u201cironclad manipulation\u201d that was an \u201cinsult to the dignity of the bishops.\u201d <\/p>\n
The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong also described the \u201ccontinual reference to the Holy Spirit\u201d during the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality as \u201cridiculous and almost blasphemous.\u201d <\/p>\n
The cardinal, 93, made his remarks during one of two free discussion periods during the Jan. 7-8 consistory that drew together 170 of the 245 members of the College of Cardinals in Pope Leo XIV\u2019s first major meeting with the sacred college since his election.<\/p>\n
In impassioned comments, first reported Jan. 9 by the College of Cardinals Report, the bishop emeritus criticized Pope Francis for bypassing the college of bishops while at the same time Francis was insisting it was an appropriate means for \u201cunderstanding the hierarchical ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cardinal questioned the ability of any pope to listen to the entire People of God and whether the laity represent the People of God. He asked if the bishops elected to take part in the synodal process had been able to carry out a work of discernment. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe ironclad manipulation of the process is an insult to the dignity of the bishops, and the continual reference to the Holy Spirit is ridiculous and almost blasphemous,\u201d Zen said. \u201cThey expect surprises from the Holy Spirit. What surprises? That he should repudiate what he inspired in the Church\u2019s two-thousand-year tradition?\u201d<\/p>\n
The cardinal also observed apparent inconsistencies in the synod\u2019s final document: That it was declared to be part of the magisterium and yet it said it did not establish any norms; that although it stressed unity of teaching and practice, it said these could be applied according to \u201cdifferent contexts;\u201d and that each country or region \u201ccan seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its tradition and needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cardinal also pointed to what he called \u201cmany ambiguous and tendentious expressions in the document,\u201d and asked if the Holy Spirit guarantees that \u201ccontradictory interpretations will not arise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zen openly wondered whether the results of what the document calls \u201cexperimenting and testing\u201d of these \u201cnew forms of ministeriality\u201d will be submitted to the Synod Secretariat and, if so, whether the secretariat will be \u201cmore competent than the bishops to judge different contexts\u201d of the Church in various countries or regions. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf the bishops believe themselves to be more competent, do the differing interpretations and choices not lead our Church to the same division (fracture) found in the Anglican Communion?\u201d the cardinal asked.<\/p>\n
Regarding the Orthodox Church, Zen said he believes their bishops \u201cwill never accept\u201d what he called \u201cBergoglian synodality\u201d as, for them, synodality is \u201cthe importance of the Synod of Bishops.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pope Francis, he said, \u201cexploited the word synod, but has made the Synod of Bishops \u2014 an institution established by Paul VI \u2014 disappear.\u201d Zen\u2019s remark was an apparent reference to how the late pope had reshaped the institution by giving non-bishops a formal role, making the institution no longer simply an episcopal advisory body.<\/p>\n
The Vatican press office and cardinals chosen to speak to the press made no mention of Zen\u2019s remarks during the consistory. <\/p>\n
In press statements, it was claimed there was no criticism of Pope Francis during the two-day meeting, although Cardinal Stephen Brislin did speak of a \u201cdivergence\u201d of opinion, saying some cardinals wanted the concept of synodality to be further clarified. <\/p>\n
The consistory was a closed-door meeting to which no media were admitted, and cardinals were asked to keep the proceedings confidential.<\/p>\n
Acest articol a fost publicat ini\u021bial de CNA.<\/p>\n