Truth - Doctrine

Pope Francis to diplomats: Moral relativism endangers peace

By Francis X. Rocca
Catholic News Service

Recalling the love of the poor practiced by his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, the pope lamented both material poverty and the "spiritual poverty of our time, which afflicts the so-called richer countries particularly seriously. It is what my much-loved predecessor, Benedict XVI, called the 'dictatorship of relativism,' which makes everyone his own criterion and endangers the coexistence of peoples."

"Francis of Assisi tells us we should work to build peace," Pope Francis said. "But there is no peace without truth! There cannot be true peace if everyone is his own criterion, if everyone can always claim exclusively his own rights, without at the same time caring for the good of others, of everyone, on the basis of the nature that unites every human being on this earth."

Rome, Italy, Dec 8, 2012 / 04:02 pm (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI told a group of Catholic theological leaders that commitment to objective truth is not a cause for violence but necessary for dialogue and peace in society.

“When you deny the opportunity for people to refer to an objective truth, dialogue is rendered impossible and violence, whether declared or hidden, becomes the rule of law of human relationships,” the Pope said in Dec. 7 comments to members of the International Theological Commission.

“Without openness to the transcendent, which allows us to find answers to questions on the meaning of life and how to live a moral life, mankind becomes unable to act in accordance with justice and work for peace,” he said.

His comments came in a speech at the conclusion of the theological commission’s plenary assembly at the Vatican Apostolic Palace’s Hall of the Popes. The commission is headed by Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, the new prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Pope Benedict said Christian believers have “strong reactions” against the idea that religions, especially monotheistic ones, are inherent “bearers of violence” because believers claim to advance a universal truth.

Some critics of religion, however, say a “polytheism of values” is needed to preserve tolerance and civil peace in a democratic society.

The Pope countered that the revelation of God in “the life and death of Jesus Christ,” including his death on the Cross, is “a radical rejection of all forms of hatred and violence” in favor of “the absolute primacy of agape,” the Greek word for Love.

He attributed violence in the name of God to “human errors” and “the forgetfulness of God that immerses human societies in a form of relativism.”

He added that reconciliation with God through the Cross of Jesus Christ is “the fundamental source of unity and fraternity.”

The Pope also directed specific comments to the International Theological Commission, which he said illustrates “the specific way in which theologians, in loyal service to the truth, may share the Church’s evangelizing impulse.”

The Pope said the commission’s recent document on contemporary theology sets out criteria for a “truly Catholic theology” that contributes to the Church’s proclamation of the Gospel. Theologians who faithfully serve “the truth of faith” can help participate in the Church’s missionary efforts, he said, advocating a place for theology in the academy.

“In a cultural context where some are tempted to deprive theology of its academic status, because of its intrinsic link with the faith, or the confessional and faith dimension of theology ... your document rightly reminds us that theology is inextricably confessional and rational and that its presence within the academic institution provides a wide-ranging and full vision of human reason,” Pope Benedict said.

He stressed the importance of the “sensus fidelium,” the “sense of the faithful” through which Christians show universal agreement on faith and morals. This sense, with the help of the Holy Spirit, helps distinguish whether a truth is part of the apostolic tradition.

This sense must be distinguished from “counterfeits.” It is not “some kind of public opinion of the Church.”

Neither is it meant to challenge the Magisterium, the teaching authority of the Church, because “the ‘sensus fidei’ cannot grow authentically in the believer except to the extent in which he or she fully participates in the life of the Church, and this requires a responsible adherence to her Magisterium.”

The Pope closed his comments with a prayer that the theologians will have the grace always to “joyfully serve the knowledge of faith for the benefit of the whole Church.”

“Dictatorship of Relativism”

[T]he “measure of the fullness of Christ” that we are called to attain if we are to be true adults in the faith. We must not remain children in faith, in the condition of minors. And what does it mean to be children in faith? St Paul answers: it means being “tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4: 14). This description is very timely!

How many winds of doctrine have we known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking. The small boat of the thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves - flung from one extreme to another: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism … Every day new sects spring up, and what St Paul says about human deception and the trickery that strives to entice people into error (cf. Eph 4: 14) comes true.

Today, having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, that is, letting oneself be “tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine”, seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times. We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one’s own ego and desires.

We, however, have a different goal: the Son of God, the true man. He is the measure of true humanism. An “adult” faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, and deceipt from truth.

We must develop this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith - only faith - that creates unity and is fulfilled in love. …
[Homily of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the cardinals just before he became Pope, April 18, 2005]