Did the heliocentric mindset of people influence the change in the liturgy?  
If so, diabolical disorientation takes on a new depth of meaning.   

This quote from Ratzinger draws an interesting connection between the liturgical changes of Vatican II and a certain loss of awareness regarding cosmic orientation. Turning altars (and Mass) from facing "East", and facing the people would amount to nothing.  If earth is a ball, facing East is not really a thing, because direction is relative. Why would anyone object?  And along with the broad acceptance of "everything's relative", since Jesus is everywhere (relatively speaking) there's no need to face the cross or worry about outdated notions of rigidity, just face the people and celebrate a wonderful meal with the cross in mind.  

I'm not certain that Ratzinger knew about the evils of heliocentrism, but he tended to speak and write subtly, so it's possible these are bread crumbs for those who are aware.  If not, what does he mean by "awareness of the liturgy's cosmic orientation" was lost?     

My understanding was that "facing East" was because of the rising sun, which represented the glorious Resurrection of Christ. And also that, given your orientation in the world, facing East would mean to face Jerusalem and the Holy Hill where Christ was crucified.

East is still East on a globe, because that is the direction from whence the sun comes as the earth "rotates".

I do agree that the destruction of a Christian cosmology after the Renaissance was one of the major errors that led to the state of the Church today.

I concur.