Often considered to be one of the more liberal
cardinals, Martini achieved widespread notice for his writings. On occasion, Martini's views proved to be controversial, thus bringing him comparatively large amounts of media coverage. Hours after his death, the Italian daily
Corriere della Sera printed his final interview, in which he described the church as "200 years out of date", commenting: "Our culture has aged, our churches are big and empty, and the church bureaucracy rises up. The Church must admit its mistakes and begin a radical change, starting from the Pope and the bishops. The pedophilia scandals oblige us to take a journey of transformation." Martini was known to be "progressive" on matters concerning human relationships, the possible ordination of women to the diaconate, and some bioethical questions, notably contraceptive use in certain more complex situations.
Dominus Iesus In 2000, Martini criticized
Dominus Iesus, a declaration by the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the Catholic Church is the sole true Church of Christ, and described the document as "theologically rather dense, peppered with quotations, and not easy to grasp".
Contraception In April 2006, in response to a very specific question from physician and politician
Ignazio Marino, director of the
transplant centre of the
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Martini opined: "The use of
condoms can, in certain situations, be a lesser evil." He stressed the particular case of married couples where one has HIV or AIDS. He quickly noted that the principle of the lesser evil in such cases is one thing, and quite another the subject who has to convey those things publicly, thus it is not up to the Church authorities to support condom use publicly, because of "the risk of promoting an irresponsible attitude". The Church is more likely to support other morally sustainable means, such as
abstinence. On another occasion, the cardinal stated that "I believe the Church's teaching has not been expressed so well. ... I am confident we will find some formula to state things better so that the problem is better understood and more adapted to reality." In the book
Nighttime Conversations in Jerusalem published in 2008, two Jesuits, Georg Sporschill and Carlo Maria Martini, answered critical questions of young people about the risk of faith in a discourse. In the book interview, Cardinal Martini stated that "many people have withdrawn from the Church, and the Church from people", due to the 1968 encyclical
Humanae vitae which prohibited artificial contraception. According to the cardinal, Pope John Paul II followed the path of rigorous application and, for some period, considered issuing a pontifical declaration under the principle of
papal infallibility, concluding that "probably the pope [Benedict XVI] will not revoke the encyclical, but he might write one that would be its continuation. I am firmly convinced that the Church can point out a better way than it did with
Humanae vitae. Being able to admit one's mistakes and the limitations of one's previous viewpoints is a sign of greatness of soul and of confidence. The Church would regain credibility and competence."
Beginning of human life Martini's position on the start of a distinct human life during the fertilization of
oocytes was rebuked by certain Vatican officials.
Right to refuse treatments Martini, speaking about the
right to die debate, said that "terminally ill patients should be given the right to refuse treatments and that the doctors who assist them should be protected by law". It is traditional Catholic moral teaching that one is morally bound to apply "ordinary" treatments, but not "extraordinary" treatments. The distinction was the basis of the declaration by the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1980 that "when inevitable death is imminent in spite of the means used, it is permitted in conscience to take the decision to refuse forms of treatment that would only secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of life, so long as the normal care due to the sick person in similar cases is not interrupted". The
Catechism of the Catholic Church also states: "Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate". Martini, in fact, refused medical treatment as his illness advanced.
Collegiality of bishops Martini called for greater
collegiality in the governance of the Church and urged continued reflection on the structure and exercise of ecclesiastical authority.
Role of women in the Church Martini demonstrated a desire for further theological enquiry on issues relating to human sexuality and the role of women in the Church and expressed support for the ordination of
female deacons.
Sacramentum caritatis In March 2007, some advocates of gay rights interpreted him as openly criticising the attitude of the Church authorities. While speaking at the
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to a congregation of over 1,300 visitors, he remarked that "the Church does not give orders". Martini stated: "It is necessary to listen to others, and when speaking to use terms that they understand." These remarks came days after
Pope Benedict XVI published the 140-page apostolic exhortation
Sacramentum caritatis, a document giving the conclusions of the 2005 Ordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops. Critics interpreted this document as an attempt to influence Catholic politicians, particularly when in 2007 the Italian government was unsuccessfully trying to pass legislation offering legal recognition of
same-sex unions.
Social work Furthermore, he promoted combating social ills, often calling for greater action to be taken to assist the socially underprivileged. Martini wished that the Church rekindle a "burning fire in the heart" of men and women today.
Catholic schools Martini was a stringent supporter of Catholic schools, and many times he spoke in favour of state contributions to Catholic schools. He said that one hour a week of teaching the Catholic religion in the Italian high school was not enough, and the time dedicated to religious teaching in the school had to be increased.
Homosexuality In his book
Credere e conoscere, published shortly before his death, Martini stated: "I disagree with the positions of those in the Church that take issue with
civil unions ... It is not bad, instead of casual sex between men, that two people have a certain stability" and that the "state could recognize them". Although he stated his belief that "the homosexual couple, as such, can never be totally equated to a marriage", he also said that he could understand (although not necessarily approve of)
gay pride parades when they support the need for self-affirmation. ==Portrayal in popular culture==