Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature, made his remarks Oct. 23 in a submission to the of the world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization.
The cardinal said that a secular version of “antinomianism” – the belief that grace exempts Christians from obedience to moral law – is “among the most serious wounds of society today,” responsible for the legalization of “intrinsically evil” actions such as abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia and same-sex marriage, and for infringements of religious liberty.
“Excitement following the council, linked to the establishment of a new church which teaches freedom and love, has strongly encouraged an attitude of indifference toward church discipline, if not even hostility,” he said.
“The reforms of ecclesial life which were hoped for by the council fathers were, therefore, in a certain sense, hindered if not betrayed.”