There’s a new film out at the moment called "How not to handle an Extraordinary Synod" have you seen it? It’s a brilliant satire about how terrible the Vatican is at PR. Well actually, it’s a horrific real-life documentary which is unfolding before our very eyes. But I hope we can learn from it in time for next year. In the current spirit of listening to the laity I make one personal plea; for next year's ordinary synod please can we have a media blackout? A period of discernment is necessary for synods and this requires silence and reflection just as it does for a papal conclave. Releasing the draft document, for example, has created confusion and dismay and it may be that the final apostolic exhortation proves to be very different in content, which will bitterly disappoint some Catholics who carry a heavy Cross on a daily basis. Cardinals mischievously telling us that "the drama continues" when they are supposedly discerning how to heal the faithful's wounds, strikes a bung note to say the least. A media blackout next year would spare the laity the excruciating, distasteful political drama currently played out by figures such as Cardinal Kasper, who has also made some very silly comments regarding Africans in the Church. Kasper seems to have appointed himself as the Pope's de facto spokesperson and makes no secret of his agenda, despite the fact this past fortnight was supposedly a listening exercise. Undoubtedly, the synod has thrown up some emotional questions but the Church needs a leader now not a life coach. It's time the Pope made clear who is boss. And if he does agree with Kasper's proposal on Communion for the divorced and re-married, shouldn't we hear it straight from him?