A provisional draft report from the Catholic Church’s ongoing Synod of Bishops has exploded in the news for apparent tonal shifts in its treatment of cohabiting couples, the remarried, and gay and lesbian relationships. But these shifts only reflect the current reality of Catholic practice on the parish level, and promise no changes in Church doctrine.

Pope Francis has replaced Francis Cardinal George of Chicago with a new Bishop thought by many to be more “liberal” than his predecessor. But the reality may be considerably more complicated than the media’s honeymoon with Francis would suggest.