Pope, Ratzinger shake hands on War against Relativism

Pope John Paul II has urged Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to be more proactive in fostering a courageous proclamation of truth in a world “marked by both a widespread relativism and the tendency to a facile pragmaticism”.

Pragmatism (you’re looking at the British spelling of the word) is a peculiarly American philosophy that views the highest good as that which is most useful, so the calculated slap at pragmatism by Pope John Paul II should not go unnoticed, nor should the emphasis placed on Ratzinger go without mention. Cardinal Ratzinger is seen by many as the voice of conservative reason in the Vatican, and his leadership and responsiveness towards Catholics crying out for a return to Catholic culture and orthodoxy has not gone unnoticed.

In addition, he urged the Congregation to focus on the teaching of natural law, which underlies traditional moral theology. He said this should be accomplished in a manner that seeks “convergence with representatives of different denominations, religions and cultures”.

The Holy Father’s third major point related to the “fair” judgment of priests accused of sex abuse. He said the “predominant” need in such adjudications is to protect the faithful.

Very good and about time.