Archbishop Zbignev Stankevics calls for prayer

In addition to a host of other intrigues, allegations are swirling today that groups within the Vatican are engineering the Synod to move toward "modernizing" Church teaching on social issues, which prompted Latvian Archbishop Zbignev Stankevics to issue an urgent call for prayer.

Writing for the National Catholic Register, long-time Vatican reporter Edward Pentin says evidence is emerging of attempts to engineer the outcome of the Synod into more "progressive" directions.

"The first and most obvious example was the interim report published on Monday," Pentin writes about the furor that erupted after the publication of a working document known as the Relatio.

"It still remains unclear who exactly wrote it and how many eyes had seen it before it was made public, but the strong criticisms of it from such Church leaders as Cardinals Raymond Burke and Gerhard Mueller are enough to point to a lamentable lack of scrutiny, with consequences for souls."

As Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of South Africa revealed at a press conference earlier in the week, “Just like you, I was surprised that it was published. You people got the document before we got it, so we couldn’t have possibly agreed on it.”

Napier went on to bemoan how the media used the document to fuel a global wave of inaccurate headlines trumpeting a so-called change in Church teaching on subjects such as homosexuality and the divorced and remarried. Once printed, no amount of retraction can reverse the damage they have done to the faithful who have become overwhelming fearful and anxious about the outcome of the Synod.

As Pentin points out, even Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi admitted that this was “something all of us with anything to do with communications could have foreseen.”

"So whoever was behind the release of the document most probably knew the impact it would have, and effectively sent it over the heads of everyone, including the Pope," Pentin speculates.

Other examples of possible engineering cited are the restrictions on reporting at the Synod and the way daily press briefings are being handled. Apparently, Synod participants are painting a picture of unity and harmony at the gathering, but this is at variance with what is going on behind the scenes. Another criticism is that the name of Jesus is barely mentioned during the discussions.

In response to the continuing chaos, Archbishop Zbignev Stankevics, archbishop of the Latvian capital Riga, is making an “urgent call” for prayer for the outcome of the synod. He is calling upon the Synod to defend Catholic sexual ethics and avoid "diluting the Church’s message in order to appease her critics."

Voice of the Family, an international coalition of pro-family groups, has recommended the following traditional Catholic prayer for bishops:

“O God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the eternal High Priest for the glory of Thy Majesty and the salvation of mankind; grant that they whom He hath chosen to be His ministers and the stewards of His mysteries, may be found faithful in the fulfillment of the ministry which they have received. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.”

Voice of the Family also recommends that families pray for themselves during the Synod, saying the following traditional Catholic prayer to the Holy Ghost:

“O eternal Spirit of Love, Bond of unity in the Holy Trinity, preserve love, unity and peace in our home. Make of it a faithful reproduction of the Holy House of Nazareth, upon which Thou didst look with such kindness. Bind us all together, not merely by worldly ties, but by the golden bonds of charity, prayer, and mutual service. By the gift of piety, help us to forgive and forget the little grievances which the events of life and diversity of character may foster among us. Whatsoever duty may call us, let us never bring dishonor upon our home and family. Ward off from our home the spirit of pride, irreligion and worldliness. Allow not the lax principles and perverse maxims of the world to take root among us. Teach us to love and respect that Christian modesty which reigned supreme in the Holy Family. As by Thy help we live in unity here below, give us, we beseech Thee, the grace of final perseverance, that together we may praise Thee and love Thee through a happy eternity. Amen.”

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