Catholicism is still around.
- Yes, but many Catholics, especially the pragmatic northern Italians and insightful Catholics in southern Germany, have realized the only way forward is the path of science and technological advancement.
This ideology is what has made both America, Germany and the Scandinavian countries rich.
When I visit the northernmost parts of Germany, especially those parts once having been haunted by BOTH Nazism and Communism, I always meet with people who claim to be living in “Süd Schweden” - “Southern Sweden”.
This attitude speaks of how deep hatred for oppression and subjugation goes in this part of Europe. To some Germans who have experienced these horrors, “Germany” is about never seeing your family again because of something you happened to have said at work.
In many parts of Germany, Swedish troops brought about havoc and disaster in the 17th century, but from a broader perspective Sweden paved way for the industrial and scientific ground gained during 18th, 19th and 20th century Germany.
So, was there no progress made in the parts of Germany that remained Catholic during these centuries?
Yes, there was indeed. But this has much to do with the position of the church once and for all having been weakened by the decisive Swedish military operations of the 17th century.
In Italy and Spain, where Catholicism was much stronger, progress was very, very slow during these centuries.