As reported by Yahoo news, "One of the participants in the synod, the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, tweeted earlier this week that Francis had warned the prelates against falling into a "conspiracy" mindset as they discuss how the church can better minister to Catholic families, gays, divorcees and couples in civil unions. But in his briefing to reporters Tuesday, the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, didn't quote Pope Francis as making such an explosive and critical admonition. His summary of Francis' remarks was more generic, and a text of Francis' remarks was never provided to the media. Lombardi confirmed Thursday that the pope indeed uttered the words but said he wasn't obliged to make public everything that everyone says." I guess it is all about the clicks even when it comes to the Catholic Church and Pope Francis. Yahoo posted the following story on its news page in order to ramp up the visits to it pages. That is the way the online economy works. The more clicks you can claim, the more advertisers will pay for their propaganda. So let's look at the message. It appears to me that Pope Francis is trying to tamp down the divisive arguing that has been going on for the past two years as we prepped for the synod. Keeping an open mind is integral to any relationship, especially with God. As the members of the synod prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is natural for the Pope to remind participants to avoid conspiracy thinking. Conspiracy can mean attempting to do something illegal or harmful and it can mean plotting or conspiring. That Pope Francis wants to have a civil discussion that produces positive results for the future of the Catholic Church goes without saying. The other thing that we need to remember is that English is not the Pope's native language. The word he used could have been something different depending on the language he used. Rev. Lombardi appears to be doing his job as well, namely keeping the synod proceedings above the fray of a HuffPo-style media frenzy that typically dwells on the vulgar and obnoxious. At the end of the day, the participants must allow the Holy Spirit to work within them. At this very important meeting, they are the instruments of God on earth. Pope Francis developed his spirituality as a Jesuit. The examin of conscious and actions is integral to the life of a Jesuit. In the end, it seems that is what Pope Francis is asking for from the synod.
The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...