Edward Pentin's The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? Tells What Happened at the 2014 Synod on the Family

Edward Pentin's fascinating e-book chronicles the inner workings and subterfuge surrounding last year's Extraordinary Synod on the Family. He examines various charges of manipulation that occurred in the run up to the proceedings. The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? is a compelling, intensely researched account of this seminal gathering of the Church's episcopate (video below). From Amazon's précis:

Intrigue or inexperience? Did key leaders of the recent Extraordinary Synod of Bishops try to manipulate the outcome to support a change in Catholic practice and perhaps in Catholic teaching on divorce and remarriage and same-sex activity? Did they undermine Pope Francis’ vision of an “open” discussion? Critics claim Cardinal Baldissieri, the man Pope Francis trusted to oversee the Synod’s discussion of family issues, along with some of his associates, tried to predetermine the outcome of the Synod’s deliberations and its documents. [ ... ]

Pentin shows several instances where voices within the Church were prevented from being heard. For instance:

◗ How members of the John Paul II Institute of Marriage and Family were not invited to be experts at the Synod

◗ How Bishops rejected the interim document over concerns it misrepresented the Synod's discussions.

◗ How the procedures for publishing talks from the Synod were altered

◗ How individuals were unscrupulously manipulated for purposes of achieving a certain doctrinal outcome

◗ How high ranking Cardinals made condescending remarks belittling Africans

World Over: 'The Rigging of a Vatican Synod?' Edward Pentin

Pray for the ongoing proceedings of the 2015 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family. May the Holy Spirit guide the participants to craft a clear, faithful, Godly articulation of marriage and family life for our time — and for all time.

Prayer to the Holy Family for the Synod 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

in you we contemplate

the splendor of true love,

to you we turn with trust. 

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families too

may be places of communion and prayer,

authentic schools of the Gospel

and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may families never again

experience violence, rejection and division:

may all who have been hurt or scandalized

find ready comfort and healing. 

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may the approaching Synod of Bishops

make us once more mindful

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,

and its beauty in God's plan. 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

graciously hear our prayer.

Amen