http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2014/10/21/well-pope-francis-as-cardinal-burke-implored-has-now-firmly-upheld-the-depositum-fidei-but-has-he-let-loose-forces-he-cant-control/
The Pope did not cause the radicalization of "forces" or "positions" in the Church. These have been there since the Popes dealt with Modernism, Many Oddie should read all the Popes encyclicals against Modernism.
On Liberalism (Mirari Vos). Gregory XVI. 1832. • On Current Errors (Quanta Cura). Pius IX. 1864. • The Syllabus of Errors. Pius IX. 1864. • On Government Authority (Diuturnum Illud). Leo XIII. 1881. • On Freemasonry and Naturalism (Humanum Genus). Leo XIII. 1884. • On the Nature of True Liberty (Libertas Praestantissimum). Leo XIII. 1888. • On the Condition of the Working Classes (Rerum Novarum). Leo XIII. 1891. • On Christian Democracy (Graves de Communi Re). Leo XIII. 1901. • Syllabus Condemning the Errors of the Modernists (Lamentabili Sane). St. Pius X. 1907. • On Modernism (Pascendi Dominici Gregis). St. Pius X. 1907. • Our Apostolic Mandate (On the "Sillon"). St. Pius X. 1910. • The Oath Against Modernism. St. Pius X. 1910. • On the Feast of Christ the King (Quas Primas). Pius XI. 1925. • On Fostering True Religious Unity (Mortalium Animos). Pius XI. 1928. • On Atheistic Communism (Divini Redemptoris). Pius XI. 1937. • On Certain False Opinions (Humani Generis). Pius XII. 1950.
Oddie seems naive and lacking in a historical perspective. For over 150 years, the Popes have fought relativism, subjectivism and so on. Pope Francis dealt with Liberation Theology in Argentina. He is not a newbie when it comes to facing heresies.
The Synod has merely highlighted problems in the Church which many of us have seen for years. How many of us have had to take our children hours away to Masses said by orthodox priests because the liberal, Modernist priests in our cities spoke heresy and allowed aberrations in the Liturgy?
Pope Francis may have trusted his cardinals to listen less to their own egos and consult the Holy Spirit. He may have hoped for more real dialogue rather than the posturing of agendas.
But, what we saw last week is not new, nor surprising.
The Holy Spirit is in control of the Church, not one man, who has yet to state anything ex cathedra.
Schism has been simmering for years. I, for one, am glad the universal Church can see clearly the sides which were drawn up a long time ago.
