‘The Rigging of a Vatican synod?’

September 03, 2015

In a new book excerpted in Catholic World Report, journalist Edward Pentin recounts the events surrounding the October 2014 Synod of Bishops’ controversial interim report.

The report included paragraphs on homosexuality and cohabitation that provoked strong reactions from several prominent synod participants. Father Stephen Fawcett, a Synod staff aide who was keeping the official diary of the proceedings, told Pentin that the interim report was not an accurate reflection of the bishops' discussions. "It just was not."

Amid complaints that the interim report was prepared a small cadre of prelates-- organized by Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the secretary-general of the Synod-- South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier observed that the document was released to the press even before the Synod fathers saw it.

 

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Further information:

• The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? (Catholic World Report)
• Synod participants voice dissatisfaction with interim report (CWN, 10/16)