Inside investigation of recent synod on marriage alleges manipulation of bishops

Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Is it possible that key leaders of the recent Extraordinary Synod of Bishops tried to manipulate the outcome to support a change in Catholic practice and perhaps in Catholic teaching on divorce, remarriage and same-sex relationships? Did they undermine Pope Francis' vision of an "open" discussion?

International reporter and analyst Edward Pentin investigates the allegations, accusations and facts surrounding the controversial meeting of select bishops of the world in his revealing new book, THE RIGGING OF A VATICAN SYNOD? only available as an e-book.

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. Supporters say Cardinal Baldissieri was inexperienced at running a synod and any missteps were innocent mistakes.

THE RIGGING OF A VATICAN SYNOD? contains an analysis of the more serious charges of manipulation of the synod and lays out the various perceptions of the meeting, beginning with those of Pope Francis and showing what was at stake at the synod on both sides of the debate.

Pentin also draws largely on Church historians to look at how the synod compares with the past, and presents an insightful chronology of the main evidence pertaining to accusations of manipulation during the meeting.

"An absolutely fascinating account of Synod 2014, especially the machinations surrounding it," Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, archbishop of Durban and co-president of the 2015 Synod on the Family, says of THE RIGGING OF A VATICAN SYNOD?

Pentin will discuss his book in an exclusive interview at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Sept. 3 with "The World Over" on EWTN.

The e-book is available for preorder now at www.ignatius.com/Products/RVS-E/the-rigging-of-a-vatican-synod.aspx.

For more information, to request a review e-book or to schedule an interview with Edward Pentin, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.