Moral Authority?

Today in class, we were talking about, among other things, the loss of moral authority that modernity took from the powers that be; society, government, church, etc…

I wonder, did modernity take the authority from the powers, from the church in particular; or did the church forfeit its authority even before the enlightment?

If it is the latter, have we done anything to earn the authority back?

Should we even want the authority back?

Don’t misunderstand me. I do believe that God is the absolute authority over everything…but the church…I don’t know if it should have or want any authority. Which should not be misconstrued as me saying unequivocally I don’t think it should or does have moral authority. I am simply asking questions.

What do you think?
Does the church have moral authority?
Should the church have moral authority?