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”

Tadeusz Zadykowicz

doi:10.15290/rtk.2019.18.05

Published: 2019-03-251

Vol. 18 (2019)

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”

Tadeusz Zadykowicz

Rocznik Teologii Katolickiej

Section: MORAL THEOLOGY

https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2019.18.05

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.

Keywords:

Benedict XVI, sexual revolution, moral crisis, moral theology

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Zadykowicz, T. (2019). 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”. Rocznik Teologii Katolickiej, 18, 71–83. https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2019.18.05

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Tadeusz Zadykowicz

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1687-8286

Affiliation:

The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

REV. TADEUSZ ZADYKOWICZ – was born in 1968 and graduated from the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Białystok and the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL). He obtained his Habilitation of Theological Sciences degree with a specialization in Moral Theology. Since 2001, he has conducted research and teaches at KUL’s Institute of Moral Theology. He is currently a professor in the Department of Fundamental Moral Theology and serves as the Director of the Institute of Moral Theology. Rev. Zadykowicz belongs to the following academic societies: the Scientific Society of KUL (2002-), the Society for Moral Theology (1999-), the Scientific Society of Lublin (2003-), the European Society for Catholic Theology (2004-), and the Francis de Sales Scientific Society (2008-). His primary research interests include: the morality of religious life; the contemporary context of religious and moral life; the biblical and cultural premises of morality; the role of personal examples in the Christian moral life; the morality of researchers and conducting research.

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

Keywords:

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