“The intellectual climate of the 1970s, for which the 1950s had already paved the way, contributed to this. A theory was even finally developed at that time that pedophilia should be viewed as something positive. Above all, however, the thesis was advocated-and this even infiltrated Catholic moral theology-that there was no such thing as something that is bad in itself. There were only things that were "relatively" bad. What was good or bad depended on the consequences. In such a context, where everything is relative and nothing intrinsically evil exists, but only relative good and relative evil, people who have an inclination to such behavior are left without no solid footing. Of course pedophilia is first rather a sickness of individuals, but the fact that it could become so active and so widespread was linked also to an intellectual climate through which the foundations of moral theology, good and evil, became open to question in the Church. Good and evil became interchangeable; they were no longer absolutely clear opposites.”

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About Pope Benedict XVI

German Catholic theologian and pontiff of the 21st century, Benedict XVI served as Pope from 2005 to 2013. His papacy was marked by a deep engagement with tradition, a nuanced approach to modernity, and a focus on dialogue with other faiths. He was also a scholar and philosopher before his election, known for his work on early Christianity and the relationship between faith and reason.

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"The intellectual climate of the 1970s, for which the 1950s had alread…" — Pope Benedict XVI | Daily Quotes