He’s right, orthodox Christianity is out of step with the culture.  But that’s a reflection of the corrupt nature of the culture, not of Christianity.  He’s also right that it is a grave error to steer orthodox Christianity into that corruption.  Do that, and the culture’s victims will have nowhere to turn when it’s all shown to be a mirage.

Let’s get things turned around and reverse the order.  I’m inclined to believe that a big big part of society is out of step with Christianity!!

I thought Christianity was supposed to be out of step with society (depending of course on how one defines society).....

What next? He licks his finger to test which way the wind blows?

In a show of humility, the Cardinal acknowledges in his lecture that it may be Church which is out of step with society.  However he goes on to explain to society why it should not exclude or ignore the wisdom offered by the Church:

Fifty years ago I think most of the values that the Church wanted to uphold were also those that society itself would have agreed with. I am in no doubt that many still recognise and admire the Church’s social and charitable work. But for others the Church and indeed Christian life seems to be out of step with ‘the spirit of the times.’ There has been a subtle but deep change in the way the Catholic Church has been perceived by contemporary culture. It is not that it meets with indifference or even hostility - although that is certainly noticeable - rather it is heard with certain incomprehension. Incomprehension not only makes it difficult for the Church, and indeed, individual Christians, to make their voice heard, it also means that there is the risk of distortion and caricature. Yet I believe the Church has a perspective and a wisdom which our society cannot afford to exclude or silence. The Church’s teaching has the whole human good in mind; that is why it is not simply one lobby group among others. 

As Kendall writes, read it all. 

And consider 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (below from the New International Version):

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written:
  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Of course Christianity is out of step with society. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature.

Isn’t that the definition of Christianity? Isn’t it the job of Christians to turn the world to Christ? Isn’t it the failing of TEO that it has turned to the world, and not vice-versa? I just don’t understand folks who think it is otherwise. Lord, have mercy.
desertpadre

Actually, society is out of step with Christianity.

How about this approach? Lets make the church more “relevant” to society by becoming more inclusive and less judgmental.  Let’s change our expectations of those who are baptized in.  Let’s welcome new and innovative doctrine that will speak to the needs of contemporary society. Oh never mind, TEC has the franchise on that already.

The Church IS out of step with society. And may it continue that way! And may it continue to call society to repentance!