[Greek] συσχηματίζω (syschēmatizō), [Latin] conformare, [Latin] configuare, [German] bilden, [French] fabriquer, [French] forme

[Greek] συσχηματίζω (syschēmatizō), [Latin] conformare, [Latin] configuare, [German] bilden, [French] fabriquer, [French] forme: to mold, to shape one’s behavior; Rom.12:2, 1Pet.1:14

Background information:

New Testament:  This term means to conform with, to mold, and to shape one’s behavior.

Rom.12:2: “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.” (Paul calls upon the Gentiles to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. We are called to exercise good judgment and to not be fashioned according to this world when we face decisions.)

1Pet.1:14: “Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance.” (This ignorance refers to lack of knowledge of God, passions, lust, evil, and godless conduct.)

A high level “bird’s eye view” of the issues involving salvation:

How as the Church (and Catholics) view salvation?

1. Before Vatican II, the Catholics believed that salvation is obtained solely through Jesus Christ and His Church.
2. After Vatican II, the Catholic Church accepted that non-Catholic faiths could have value. However, not all Catholics subscribe to this view.

What are the challenges of ecumenism?

1. Jesus prayed for unity. Yet Christians remained divided.
2. Christians have a serious obligation to resolve this grave obstacle.
3. There may continue to be barriers to prevent ecumenism.

How does Vatican II approach ecumenism?

1. By building positive relationships to eradicate antagonism and conflict
2. By achieving unity by focusing on doctrinal agreement
3. Doctrinal agreement should explore different forms of expression
4. The Church subsists (has “sort-of Church membership) in the Roman Catholic Church.
5. Vatican II takes a more nuanced approach toward ecumenism with other faiths.

What are the objections to Vatican II’s ecumenical approach?

1. This opposes traditional Church teaching salvation can only be attained though Jesus and His Church.
2. The ides of “being “sort of” in the Church is a new development of doctrine pertaining to ecumenism.
3. This implies that non-Catholic faiths could be “salvific”.
4. This makes missionary activity irrelevant. If people can be saved outside the Church, what is point of preaching the gospel and urging conversion?

Etymology: This Greek verb syschematizo means to have a external conforming schema, which comprises everything in a person which strikes the senses: figure, bearing, discourse, actions, and manner of life. In contrast, the Greek verb metamorphoo refers to the internal nature (form) which is changed.

Conclusion:

Conform, configure, configuration fabric, fabrication, form, build, building

Update: [For purposes of brevity], I will just focus on the subject matter of salvation.

One has to ask: “How much has Vatican II conformed the Church to the world?” Vatican II was created from the naive notion of “bringing fresh air into the Church.” ==> a spiritual and pastoral disaster (many problems)

One has to ask: “How much has the Vatican’s Synodal Way conformed the Church to the world?” Jesus’ Church is being transformed into a Church in the image of man (and his lived experiences). This is essentially becoming a new Church ==> more liturgical confusion and chaos (many problems)  DO YOU SEE A PATTERN HERE?

One of Vatican II’s famous words Aggiornamento, meaning “bringing up to date” has unfortunately has given the Modernists license to “renew” and “reform.”  ==> rinse and repeat

At the same time, Pope Paul VI also mentioned that “the smoke of Satan has entered into a crack in the Church.”

It seems we all are again revisiting the question: “How can one achieve salvation? Can salvation be achieved outside the Catholic Church?

St. Augustine stated, “No man can attain salvation except in the Catholic Church. Outside the Catholic Church one can everything except salvation.” (Is St. Augustine right? Is it much more simpler in saying that St. Augustine was right?)

One also has to ask: “Is it still possible to able to attain salvation outside the Catholic Church? (Obviously, this question cause some controversy.)

One also has to ask: “Is Vatican II’s approach toward salvation also still valid? After all, Jesus established one Church, not over 45,000 churches and denominations.

What could be some potentially disastrous salvific consequences of Pope Francis’ Synodal Path (walking [conforming] with the world):

1. In the Vatican’s Synodal path, poorly catechized laity will be given much greater responsibilities in determining doctrine. This could mean removing any doctrine which you do not like! They believe that the Church must be democratized between the clergy and laity. 
2. Vatican II looks more like a United Nations NGO rather than a Church leading souls to heaven. Focusing more on social work than on sin. Souls could be put in peril.
3. The Vatican seeks to downgrade the stature of the papacy to make it more appealing or agreeable to other faiths. Making all faiths the same.
4. The Vatican focuses more on tolerance, false compassion, and mercy rather than intolerance, Church teachings, sin, and true compassion. Avoid talking about sin.
5. Fiducia Supplicans: bestowing specific “non-liturgical blessings” on “irregular couples” but not calling out this sinful behavior. This will encourage more of this behavior. Some have claimed that this is the Vatican’s “millstone moment”.
6. Pope Francis criticizes the the German Synodal Way not for their heresy, but THAT THEY ARE MOVING TOO FAST. Let that sink in. Pope Francis wants to “slow-walk” this process in getting there. (Fiducia Supplicans is a perfect illustration of this)
7. Ironically, in Brussels Pope Francis is getting criticized for “not moving fast enough” [in conforming to the world] on women priests, women deacons, and the LGBTQ community.

 “If we would give full satisfaction to the heart of God, we must bring our own will in everything into conformity with His.” St. Alphonsus Liguori

“We do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.” GK Chesterton

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