Is the Church Defenseless Against Sociocultural Changes? Which Moral Theology Provides the Response to this Modern Challenge? A reflection on Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Essay “The Church and the Scandal of Sexual Abuse”

Abstract

A close relationship exists between the moral crisis within the Church that came about due to the sexual revolution and the collapse of moral theology that occurred at precisely the same time. Newer approaches to morality could not address the overwhelming crisis and, therefore, insufficiently responded to the demand for absolute freedom within the sphere of human sexuality; in other words, moral theology was defenseless in the face of the changes that took place after the sexual revolution. Inspired by the events of the past, moral theologians thus sought out models of moral theology that would prevent it from being “defenseless” in the face of the modern sociocultural changes that were taking place. As a result, moral theologians discovered that moral theology should closely connected with Revelation and, at the same time, be rooted in natural law; demonstrate the primacy of charity; be based on faith in God; maintain its ecclesial, normative, and social character; and reject cheap popularity and momentary applause.