The other day Pope Benedict addressed the plenary meeting of the Pontifical Council for Culture. Here is a report of his remarks from Asia News:

Referring to the theme chosen for the current assembly of the dicastery, "The Church and the challenge of secularisation", the pope then asserted that "the secularisation that is present in cultures as an arrangement of the world and of humanity without reference to Transcendence is today invading every aspect of daily life, and is developing a mentality in which God is effectively absent, in whole or in part, from human existence and understanding. This secularisation is not only an external threat for believers, but has for some time shown itself within the bosom of the Church itself. It deeply undermines the Christian faith from within, and in consequence, undermines the lifestyle and daily behaviour of believers. They live in the world and are often affected, if not determined, by the culture of the image that imposes contradictory models and impulses in the practical denial of God: there is no longer any need for God, for thinking of Him and returning to Him. And furthermore, the predominant hedonistic and consumerist mentality fosters, among both faithful and pastors, a tendency toward superficiality and egocentrism that damages ecclesial life"."The 'death of God' announced in past decades by many intellectuals gives way to a sterile worship of the individual. In this cultural context, there is the risk of falling into spiritual atrophy and into an emptiness of heart, sometimes characterised by surrogate forms of religious membership and vague spiritualism. It is clearly more urgent than ever to react to this trend through a recalling of the lofty values of existence, which give meaning to life and can calm the disquiet of the human heart in its search for happiness: the dignity of the human person and his freedom, the equality among all men, the meaning of life and death, and of that which awaits us after the conclusion of earthly existence".

Reading this, I was reminded of some reflections by the Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor, in his massive (too massive!) study, A Secular Age.

[T] he present fractured expressivist culture ... seems very inhospitable to belief. Our world is ideologically fragmented, and the range of positions are growing as the nova effect is multiplied by expressive individualism. There are strong incentives to remain within the bounds of the human domain, or at least not to bother exploring beyond it. The level of understanding of some of the great languages of transcendence is declining; in this respect, massive unlearning is taking place. The individual pursuit of happiness as defined by consumer culture still absorbs much of our time and energy, or else the threat of being shut out of this pursuit through poverty, unemployment, incapacity galvanizes all our efforts.All this is true, and yet the sense that there is something more presses in. Great numbers of people feel it: in moments of reflection about their life; in moments of relaxation in nature; in moments of bereavement and loss; and quite wildly and unpredictably. Our age is very far from settling into a comfortable unbelief. Although many individuals do so, and more still seem to be on the outside, the unrest continues to surface. Could it ever be otherwise? (p. 727)

The response to this situation by Pope and Philosopher may differ, but it would be fascinating to overhear a dialogue between them. I believe that the Pope has an annual gathering of his former students to discuss some important thinker. Last year, if memory serves, it was Darwin and evolution. This year it will be Luther. Why not Taylor and secularity next year?If Hans Kng could be invited to supper, why not Charles Taylor? Perhaps the invitation is already in the mail?