Catholic Church in the face of modern moral challenges

Abstract

One of the most pressing and key problems faced by the Catholic Church today – pedophilia
(sometimes “paedophilia”) among priests is researched. Starting from a brief analysis of the phe-
nomenon of pedophilia along with the necessary need to distinguish the same from ephebophilia, in
investigation specific examples of revealed, examined and confirmed cases of sexual abuse against
minors, as well as consequent moral and ethical issues are described.
Particular parts of the article are devoted to the years of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI
and Pope Francis. Special attention is paid to preventive measures and methods of combating
pedophilia in the Catholic Church. Each pope looked at this problem differently, but the basic
conclusion is that the issue of sexual assault in Catholicism cannot be honestly considered if there
is no proper reflection on the potential sources of ideological threats. The changes in the field of
ethics and sexuality caused by the dissemination and propaganda of the so-called sexual revolution
ideology of 1968 are explored.
Without ignoring significant and important issues, the author also tried to answer the question of
where the current roots of moral abuse and crime are stuck and hidden. A reflection on the possible
connections between homosexuality and pedophilia in the Catholic Church is done. In the distant

past, one can see the scale of neglect that occurred as a result of either a change in doctrinal teaching
or an explicit denunciation of obedience to the hierarchical authorities in the Church.
In summary, an attempt to answer questions about the depth of the modern moral crisis is made.
Conclusions are made that there is a lack of good will in some environments, including the Church,
to deal seriously with the problem of pedophilia, because it would necessitate criticizing the ideology
of tolerance popular in Western countries and acceptance of the non-heterosexual orientation, and
this would already result in a real ideological crisis. It may be for this reason that so many critics
remain on the plane of attacking the Catholic Church without any deeper consideration.
Keywords: homosexuality, canon law, Catholic Church, the papacy, pedophilia, sexual offenses,
ephebophilia