Pope Francis and the so-called "shift in tone" at the Synod

Across the world a great many people have become unrealistically excited over exaggerated and distorted media reports that the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops has made a "shift in tone toward gays" - even a "'seismic' opening" - with the publication of its "bombshell document," the relatio that the Synod Fathers did not see before it was released to the media.

Curiously, Time Magazine was one of the few media outlets to urge everyone to "calm down" and take an actual look at the document that is only a working text.

In this suggestion, Time was right. A great many people seem to have completely forgotten what Pope Francis said about gay 'marriage' when he was the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires:

The identity of the family, and its survival, are in jeopardy here: father, mother, and children. The life of so many children who will be discriminated beforehand due to the lack of human maturity that God willed them to have with a father and a mother is in jeopardy. A clear rejection of the law of God, engraved in our hearts, is in jeopardy.

I recall words of Saint Thérèse when she speaks of the infirmity of her childhood. She says that the envy of the Devil tried to extort her family after her older sister joined the Carmel. Here, the envy of the Devil, through which sin entered the world, is also present, and deceitfully intends to destroy the image of God: man and woman, who receive the mandate to grow, multiply, and conquer the earth. Let us not be naive: it is not a simple political struggle; it is an intention [which is] destructive of the plan of God. It is not a mere legislative project (this is a mere instrument), but rather a "move" of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God.

Jesus tells us that, in order to defend us from this lying accuser, he will send us the Spirit of Truth. Today, the Nation [patria], before this situation, needs the special assistance of the Holy Ghost that may place the light of Truth amid the shadows of error; it needs this Advocate who may defend us from the enchantment of so many sophisms with which this bill is being justified, and which confuse and deceive even people of good will.

If there really was an "earthquake" that occurred during the Synod, I don't expect it will meet the Pope's approval.

Even when he made his "whom am I to judge?" comment - which was also wildly manipulated by the media (and politicians), Pope Francis said, regarding the Church's teaching on homosexuality, "The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well" and made no efforts to change - as if he could - what the Church teaches.