I remember the topic of ethical relativism/morality or ‘situational ethics,’ appearing as topic of discussion among us students when I was attending St. Joseph’s (Catholic) College in the late 60s. Although some made “good” arguments, such as not right to execute a starving person for stealing a loaf of bread, I saw as an extreme from the middle ages and could be solved by changing laws. But when it came to basic morality and the ten commandments, which some also said should be changed based upon cause, I disagreed. I believed then and still believe that there is a basic morality this is everlasting and is neither relative or situational. And now we are here in this secular humanist world.
God cares about life.
God cares about the family.
God loves all regardless of their denomination.
God wants one flock.
You’d love G.E.M. (Elizabeth) Anscombe.
When people were geographically isolated around the world, relativism made a tiny bit of sense because these relatively isolated populations could have different sets of beliefs. However, now that we live in a global internet-connected world isolated populations with their own sets of beliefs is the rare exception, e.g. Amazonian tribes, the Amish.
What we are facing is not relativism, but hedonism or some form of epicureanism.
The people who want us all to become hedonists may talk like relativists, but only as a means to a hedonistic end. It is similar to how post-modernism is being used. Post-modernism , like relativism, claims there are no strong objective and universal values. However, post-modernism is not the final stage.
The combination of post-modernism and relativism is an acid bath used to destroy commonsense and support for all traditional values so that Marxism can then come in and fill the void. The Pope is not some airy-fairy new ager who wants everyone to do their own thing. He has a plan and he intends to carry it out regardless of what you or I or God thinks is right.