Paganism in the Vatican? | "Where Peter Is" Blog | Bishop Barron's Middle Path

In a recent post (see Sept. 21 article), I expressed concern about the then upcoming Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region and the dialogue over the interpretation of paganism in its working document.  I'd been following various conservative Catholic news outlets and commentaries, especially the Dr. Taylor Marshall Show on YouTube and Michael Voris of Church Militant.  Then came an indigenous Amazonian tree planting ceremony on Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, two days before the opening of the Synod on Oct. 6.  Pope Francis has dedicated the Synod to the patronage of St. Francis.

I don't want to completely dismiss the concerns of faithful Catholics about Pope Francis and the Amazon Synod, but the reactionary firestorm I've been witnessing is leaving me cold.  At a certain point I began to seek out other perspectives, wondering if the narrative I've been hearing is completely accurate and factual.  Today I found the Where Peter Is blog and read Pedro Gabriel's article "Paganism in the Vatican? Hermeneutic of Suspicion at its Peak."  

The author presents evidence that the tree planting ceremony was not indeed pagan, and that the much decried, carved wooden statue of a pregnant woman represents the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Amazon. The 2nd pregnant figure is believed to be St. Elizabeth, with the two women representing The Visitation.  These are not, as the accusation has been put forth, fertility goddesses.  I recommend reading Gabriel's complete article: https://wherepeteris.com/paganism-in-the-vatican-hermeneutic-of-suspicion-at-its-peak/.

I've become increasingly uncomfortable with what seems to me to be blatant disrespect for Pope Francis. I agree with Gabriel that a hermeneutic of suspicion, of treating every little thing the pope says and does through a preconceived, negatively critical lens, is at work here. I've also learned since publishing my Sept. 21, "three bad things" article that the working document for the Amazon Synod, Instrumentum Laboris, is not a magisterial document, but rather the blueprint for discussion during the Synod. 

Language used in the working document that seems to signal an acceptance of paganism might instead be a reflection of the spirituality of the Amazonian peoples whom the Synod seeks to understand, help in their various needs, and evangelize. It seems more likely that what we have here is an approach of inculturation rather than religious syncretism. News reports have stated that Pope Francis intends to eventually destroy Instrumentum Laboris, and he has indicated his reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide the Synod and its outcomes.

Yes, the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church is real and horrifying, and we can't sweep it under the rug. Perhaps Pope Francis could have responded to it better, but maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Has the pope truly been using "weaponized ambiguity" to undermine the traditional teachings of the Church, as he has been accused? Is he really a Marxist, or does he simply have a deep devotion to helping the poor, the marginalized, and the migrant? As for his intentions in the realm of education, there might be cause for concern, but this remains to be seen.  

I refuse to be worked into a frenzy over the narrative being presented by the anti-Francis, hyper conservative Catholic media. Theirs is one perspective, one side of the story. I recently viewed the YouTube video from Bishop Barron on his theological process, in which he presents his "middle path" between the radical Catholic liberals on the one hand, and the traditionalists who want to disregard Vatican II and return to a pre-conciliar version of the Church on the other. I think Bishop Barron's viewpoint is well worth looking into (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB6w4miLEc8).

The Catholic Church needs unity right now; and as she has always been, the Church founded by Jesus is unified under the authority of the pope, the successor of St. Peter. We would all do well not to forget that.