Question 5.92

5.92 How can the Church get through the mountains of misunderstanding that have risen up since the encyclical Humanae vitae by Paul VI, published in 1968? Is it still possible to overcome the opposition between Christian morality and the dominant values of Western societies?

It is important to situate this antagonism in the context of secularization and de-

Christianization; whole sectors of modern society have turned away from the Church’s moral teaching; this phenomenon has gone hand in hand with ignorance and rejection of her doctrine or of her cultural heritage. There is a complex set of factors that we have to take into account, an indifference toward God that goes beyond the simple problem of moral rules. I think that priests and bishops must display the riches of pedagogy (while being cautious not to take refuge in dogmatic presentations that are too learned) so as to make it clear that questions of sexual morality are not the sum total of the Church’s message; today, the model offered by Francis ought to be a powerful help to them.

Yet the Church must remain vigilant with regard to the overturning of values, which leads to confusion between good and evil; in our relativistic societies, good becomes what pleases the individual and is convenient to him. Hence the Church’s moral teaching is misunderstood or despised and rejected as the emanation from a false good. The media often do their part deliberately to discredit the Church’s position, to distort it, or to silence it. The prevailing narrative constantly seeks to present the idea of an outmoded, medieval Church -what ignorance of the Middle Ages!-that refuses to adapt to the development of the world, is hostile to scientific discoveries and anxious about old ideals. Given this mudslinging, we must be firm and clear, not naïve, yet beyond reproach; we must pray and stay in union with God. The attacks will pass if they are unfair.

How can we not thank Paul VI for the courage he had in issuing the encyclical Humanae vitae? This document was prophetic in developing a morality that could defend human life. Despite many pressures within the Church herself, the pope saw what John Paul II called “the culture of death” forming on the horizon. I have not forgotten the violent critiques aimed at him because he refused to abdicate the elementary principles of life. In his turn, John Paul II lavishly produced a very rich teaching on the human body and sexuality. Despite the respect that he enjoyed, especially after his decisive interventions to free the peoples of Eastern Europe from the yoke of Communist dictatorship, how many bitter critiques have not been made against his view of morality? He had understood, nevertheless, that the Church must not lower her arms. By his steadfastness, he obeyed Jesus, who once said to Peter: “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren” (Lk 22:32).

I think that history will prove the Church right, for the defense of human life is the defense of mankind. Today, so many organizations and groups advocate women’s liberation so that they can be in control of their own bodies and destinies. … In fact, women’s bodies are exploited, utilized in many circumstances, often for publicity and commercial purposes, so that they become mere merchandise and a sex-object. In a hyper-eroticized society, which tries to convince people that man is fulfilled only through unbridled sexuality, it seems to me that women’s dignity has had major setbacks. The West is the continent that most shamefully humiliates and despises women by publicly stripping them naked and utilizing them for hedonistic commercial purposes.

But we must rejoice over the fact that many women now have access to higher education. Similarly, the right to vote was granted to them in Europe, although too late. It is important also that women should be able to have a job that is compatible with motherhood.

Nevertheless, the West is losing its way because of its illusions, thinking that moral liberalism makes it possible for civilization to advance. How can anyone pretend that free access to pornography through the new means of communication, which is spreading a despicable view of sexuality-something sacred in itself, however-throughout society and even among very young people, is an example of progress in the world? How are we to understand the fact that the major UN agencies that claim to champion human rights do not fight vigorously against the powerful European and American sex industry? All of these dark clouds are signs of a world that lives far from Christ. Without the Son of God, man is lost and humanity has no more future.

Today the Church must fight against prevailing trends, with courage and hope, and not be afraid to raise her voice to denounce the hypocrites, the manipulators, and the false prophets. For two thousand years the Church has faced many contrary winds, but at the end of the most difficult journeys the victory was always won.