Love is not all. Relational ethics in comparison with Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI

Main Article Content

Andrzej Kucinski

Abstract

Public sexual morality, shaped by the ubiquitous pop culture, is socially undermining the traditional Catholic doctrine of sexual morality, based on the sexual exclusivity of monogamous and heterosexual marriage. In contemporary consciousness, considering the value of relationships solely in terms of “love” is becoming the decisive criterion of moral behaviour in the realm of sexuality. A German current of Catholic moral theology is taking this sociological development (or context) as an opportunity to carry out a paradigm shift under the name of “relational ethics”. The purpose is to reform Catholic sexual morality in such a way that it remains, on the one hand, faithful to the Christian message of love, and on the other hand, relevant to society. It aims to present an ethical model “attainable” for contemporary individuals. This approach to sexual morality also includes the integration of gender theories. Besides, the aforementioned sexual-ethical exclusivity in marriage, and gender complementarity of man and woman are abandoned; in this way the Church’s valid teaching is quite consciously transgressed. In contrast to this stands the sexual-ethical proclamation of the recently deceased Benedict XVI, which is anchored in the anthropology of creation. The present article is dedicated to evaluating the place of the ethics of relationship in the Church by drawing on the approach included in some selected texts written by the German Pope and theologian.

Article Details

How to Cite
Kucinski, A. (2023). Love is not all. Relational ethics in comparison with Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI. Brasiliensis, 12(22), 27-44. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8173606
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Articles
Author Biography

Andrzej Kucinski, Dicastero per la Dottrina della Fede

Dottore in Teologia Morale presso l’Università di Bonn (2012).

How to Cite

Kucinski, A. (2023). Love is not all. Relational ethics in comparison with Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI. Brasiliensis, 12(22), 27-44. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8173606