All Are Welcome . . . But?

It seems that lately the majority of articles in the Catholic blogosphere and on news sites concerns the upcoming Synod on Synodality. And the issues surrounding that Synod certainly are many.

But there is one topic that seems to be underneath the variety of discussion items.  That topic is what should be the focus of the Catholic Church.

It seems that these days the focus of the Synod is less on saving souls and more on making every person feel welcome and feel affirmed regardless of the choices they make in their lives.

The narrative that ‘the Catholic Church is intolerant and not welcoming to all’ has been with us for a long time. It’s been the view expressed by many Protestants and by the secular media. And it seems that now our Holy Father and many of the Church hierarchy who are playing important roles in the Synod are also taking up this narrative.

The argument often professed is that the Church should be more welcoming and inclusive to meet people where they are. After all, didn’t Jesus eat with sinners and welcome them into his presence?

What to affirm?

It seems that sexual morality issues – transgenderism, same sex marriage blessings, divorce and remarriage, and access to the sacraments are key hot button issues. To hear some of the Synod participants we are to welcome, affirm, and accept those with such issues. But I’ve heard very little about “next steps.”

I understand the logic of welcoming the sinner. However, welcoming can be viewed as just a first step toward one’s march toward salvation. The Gospel message contains much more than inclusion. As mentioned, many like to highlight how Jesus welcomed the sinner. However, there are numerous quotes from Jesus and the Apostles that highlight the next steps – that one must repent, believe, and be transformed.

For example, in Luke 17:3 Jesus states “Be on your guard! If your bother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”  Peter, in Acts 3:19, further states “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.”  And Paul, in Romans 12:2, declares “ Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

It’s a process and the Church is the vehicle for implementing that process. I would hope and pray that the members of the upcoming Synod remember that. I believe the purpose of the Church is to build the kingdom of God – to build unity between God and man. It does that by evangelizing and reconciling. Being inclusive and welcoming just opens the door. But, once in that door, the real work of the Church begins.

Both Welcoming and Demanding

My RCIA teaching experience has reinforced in me that the Church can indeed be open and inclusive. All are welcome, but with the understanding that by voluntarily accepting the invitation to be a part of a Catholic community, a person also obligates him/herself to a creed and consequent transformation. It involves accepting the responsibility of striving to follow Christ’s commandments and avoiding what is not consistent with Catholic moral teachings.

It is an encountering process whereby the Church can provide answers to those questions we cannot answer by ourselves such as: What to believe by being educated on doctrine, how to act by being shown a model of morality and how to experience God through receiving grace through the sacraments.

Pray for the Synod

Unfortunately little has been said in regard to the Synod on Syndodality (or for that matter the German Synodal Way) about the next steps necessary for the Church to facilitate a more repentant and transformative process to save souls.

The lack of belief in the True Presence, the decline in Mass attendance and reduced Church membership, I believe, is not so much a problem of not being welcoming as it is a lack of clear and precise teaching of Christ’s message of repentance, transformation and forgiveness. The often ambiguous messages coming from the Vatican and the hierarchy about what we are about as a Church is falling on deaf ears.

I can only speak for myself and my conversion experience. I want a Church that does not just accept me as I am but accepts me for what I can become. And I want a Church that makes demands of me, to bring out my better angels.

I hope and pray that the members of the Synod realize their true mission is to proclaim the Church’s mission and a doctrine that goes beyond welcoming to conversion.