The European Conference on Ethics, Religion and Philosophy 2014

Brighton, United Kingdom



Official Conference Proceedings

The European Conference on Ethics, Religion and Philosophy 2014

Brighton, United Kingdom



Official Conference Proceedings

The European Conference on Ethics, Religion and Philosophy 2014

Brighton, United Kingdom



Official Conference Proceedings

In his homily on October 17, 2013, Pope Francis set a new tone for opposition to the
ideological position generally referred to as the “religious right” in US politics in
particular, referring to moralizing ideologies as indicating that someone is “no longer
a disciple of Jesus” and part of a “serious illness” in the Church. His statements
signaled a major shift in Vatican posturing on political matters; arguably the greatest
since the Second Vatican Council. Without signaling any major changes to the
Catholic Church’s traditional teachings on sexuality, Pope Francis made it clear that
“pelvic politics” will no longer be accepted as a higher political priority than “social
justice issues” within the church. This in turn represents a serious threat to the
political careers of those who have spent the last few decades championing Pope John
Paul II’s opposition to abortion, homosexuality, extra-marital sexuality and any
economic policies bearing a resemblance to Marxism. Yet it brings to the fore an
aspect of John Paul II’s earlier legacy which is sometimes forgotten, and which is
difficult to harmonize with his post-Cold War conservatism. This is giving rise to an
interesting new conflict dynamic within the politics of the Catholic Church.

Keywords: Pope Francis, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Second Vatican
Council, Religious Right, Robert George, abortion, social justice, politics, moralism

David Huisjen Jr