The Synod on Synodality has caused great distress among many Catholics, who claim to already be suffering from side effects of synodality, even before the synod has begun.

What are the synodal symptoms?

Your once clear brain gets confused easily. Words lose their meaning. Long held beliefs are tossed aside for no apparent reason. You often find yourself using catchphrases instead of conveying actual thoughts.

Other symptoms include pretending that the Holy Spirit is speaking through you when in reality it’s just the United Nations or the New York Times editorial page.

The symptoms of synodality are sweeping the nation. And even more bad news, masks or Ivermectin will not help. Two weeks to slow the spread? Won’t do nothing.

Those who attend Mass faithfully seem to be hardest hit with reports of sadness and frustration. One man, interviewed leaving Mass, reported feeling confused. Those who consider themselves “Spiritual but not religious” didn’t know there was any other way to live.

For those who’ve been paying attention since Pope Francis’ papacy began, mental health professionals are diagnosing long haul Covid. And boy has it been a long haul.

Mental health advocates expect the symptom to worsen as the synod approaches and synodality reaches a fever pitch of synodaling.