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Why Many Perceive It as Becoming Less Catholic.
In recent years, the word “synodality” has become one of the most repeated terms in documents, speeches, and ecclesial meetings. For some, it represents an opportunity for renewal. For others, a serious source of concern. And for many faithful who love Tradition, an inevitable question arises:
Is the Synodal Church becoming less truly Catholic?
This is not a light question. It is a concern born from love, not fear. From a desire for fidelity, not rebellion. And above all, from a deep longing: that the Church be the one Christ founded, not the one the world wishes for.
Come with me on this journey that seeks to illuminate, form, and help you discern clearly.
🕊️ 1. What Does It Really Mean to Be Catholic?
Being Catholic is not a sentimental label or a cultural belonging.
It is a theological, historical, and supernatural reality.
Being Catholic means:
- Professing one faith that is unchanging.
- Belonging to one Church founded by Christ, not by committees.
- Living under one authority: the Pope and the bishops in communion with him.
- Defending one Tradition that is living, not adjustable according to surveys.
- Walking in the truth, not in opinion.
As St. Paul reminds us:
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
(Galatians 1:8)
A Church that adapts to the world loses the ability to save it.
🧭 2. What Is Synodality? Theory vs. Practice
In its origin, synodality is not a bad thing.
“Synod” means to walk together. A beautiful concept when integrated into the hierarchical structure willed by Christ.
The problem today is that many current promoters of synodality:
- Present it as a spiritual democracy where doctrine can be discussed.
- Allow sociopolitical opinions to mix with faith.
- Promote the idea of a Church that listens to the world more than to Christ.
- Blur the authority of the Magisterium.
- Build a horizontal Church, not a vertical one.
The risk is clear:
confusing participation with authority, listening with relativism, dialogue with renunciation.
⚠️ 3. Why Do Many Faithful Say “The Synodal Church Is Less Catholic”?
Here are several legitimate reasons:
1. Because defined truths are being questioned
Topics such as:
- sexual morality,
- sacraments,
- priesthood,
- liturgy,
- the identity of the ordained ministry…
…already defined by the Magisterium, are presented as “open issues.”
But revealed truth is not up for vote.
2. Because sentiment is exalted over doctrine
A Church that prioritizes “listening” over truth ends up treating faith as a human construction.
3. Because spiritual authority is weakened
If the Church functions as an assembly of opinions, what purpose does the Magisterium serve?
4. Because identity is diluted
The Church stops announcing Christ and instead speaks about:
- sentimental ecology,
- sociology,
- psychology,
- political activism.
Good causes…
but not its main mission.
5. Because Tradition is marginalized
Everything that smells of continuity, doctrine, traditional liturgy, or moral clarity is labeled “rigid.”
But Christ was not ambiguous.
Nor is the faith.
📜 4. A Brief Historical Look
This is not the first time the Church has faced internal tensions between:
- fidelity
- adaptation
It happened with:
- the Arians,
- the Protestants,
- the Modernists,
- the Jansenists.
And the faithful Church always prevailed.
But always at a cost:
the confusion of the faithful.
Today we are living through a new variation of modernism:
a fluid, emotional, subjective spirituality…
that seeks to “open to the world” but risks losing its soul.
🔥 5. The Truth Does Not Change: The Theological Foundation
Jesus Christ founded a visible and hierarchical Church, with authority to teach, sanctify, and govern.
Jesus did not say:
“Ask what the majority thinks.”
He said:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35)
The Church does not invent the truth:
it guards it.
The Church does not adapt the Gospel:
it proclaims it.
The Church does not consult surveys:
it listens to the Holy Spirit, who does not contradict Himself.
🛡️ 6. How to Remain Faithful in Times of Confusion
Here begins the pastoral and practical part:
what you can do today to remain firm.
✅ 1. Return to the sources
- Daily Gospel
- Catechism
- Church Fathers
- Traditional doctrine
These sources do not change.
✅ 2. Strengthen your sacramental life
- Frequent Confession
- Mass with devotion
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Daily Rosary
A praying Church never loses its way.
✅ 3. Form your conscience, not your opinion
A Christian conscience is not built on feelings but on solid formation.
✅ 4. Discern ambiguous discourse
Not every “novelty” comes from the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes it comes from the spirit of the world.
✅ 5. Seek faithful priests
Not perfect—faithful.
✅ 6. Keep charity, even in disagreement
Fidelity is not aggressiveness.
Defending truth without love distorts truth.
✅ 7. Do not abandon the Church
When a storm hits, the solution is not to jump off the boat—
but to remain where Christ is.
📘 Theological–Pastoral Practical Guide
To Live Catholic Truth in Times of Synodal Confusion
1. Basic theological criterion:
Anything that contradicts:
- Scripture,
- Tradition,
- defined dogmas,
- the constant Magisterium…
cannot come from the Holy Spirit.
2. Key pastoral question:
Does this bring me closer to Christ and the life of grace…
or does it make me comfortable with the world?
3. Rule for spiritual discernment:
Whatever dilutes truth is always suspicious.
Whatever strengthens faith, purity, obedience, and holiness… is from God.
4. Rule for daily life:
Do small things with great fidelity:
- Bless your home
- Pray as a family
- Teach the faith without fear
- Live with coherence
- Be a silent and firm witness
5. Rule of hope:
The Church always passes through crises…
but Christ never abandons His Bride.
⭐ Conclusion:
Being Catholic Today Is an Act of Courage… and of Love
Perhaps the Synodal Church, as some present it, may seem less Catholic.
But Christ’s Church remains Catholic, holy, and apostolic.
Unchanging in its truth, even if some wish to dilute it.
Your mission is not to criticize from the outside, but to remain faithful inside.
To be light when there is darkness.
To be firm when there is confusion.
To be humble when others shout.
And above all…
To be truly Catholic, not fashionably Catholic.
Because in the end, Christ will not ask for surveys.
He will ask for fidelity.
