Relativism
See also: "…dictatorship of relativism" —Cardinal Ratzinger, Opening Homily at Conclave, April 18th, 2004.
This is what is happening also at the level of politics and government: the original and inalienable right to life is questioned or denied on the basis of a parliamentary vote or the will of one part of the people—even if it is the majority. This is the sinister result of a relativism which reigns unopposed: the "right" ceases to be such, because it is no longer firmly founded on the inviolable dignity of the person, but is made subject to the will of the stronger part. In this way democracy, contradicting its own principles, effectively moves towards a form of totalitarianism.
—POPE JOHN PAUL II, Evangelium Vitae, "The Gospel of Life", n. 18, 20.
Cardinal Cushing relativist view applied to contraceptives
Cardinal Richard Cushing, then the Archbishop of Boston told legislators in 1965 that he did not oppose a bill legalizing the sale of contraceptives:
"I have no right to impose my thinking, which is rooted in religious thought, on those who do not think as I do," Cardinal Cushing said. That argument became the template for claims by Catholic politicians that they were "personally opposed" to abortion but could not impose their morality on others.
But in fact contraceptives are objectively evil because they contradict the purpose of human sexuality and thus cause serious damages to marriage, family and individuals. This is not a "religious opinion". It is truth that minds can understand if properly educated and open to the truth.
