[thomaswest]

<> "Moral laxity" from predatory priests--and cover-ups by bishops and cardinals--seems a greater threat than secularism. When the Church discredits itself, it dies from within.

[CouncilofTrent]

I think that moral laxity is a result of secularism.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

The church, founded by Christ, is still an organization manned by humans with human failings. This is not the first time the leaders of the church have had to weather a storm of human failing.

And although Europe is choosing secularism over the "principle of secularity," the church is going gung-ho in parts of the world like Asia and Africa, often in the face of great danger.

Mostly, if we want the church to be vibrant in the face of the persecution of secularism, we have to be willing to be living witnesses, martyrs, and make it clear who we are and what we believe, even when it's inconvenient.

Cultural Christianity, which a lot of Europe used to have and still has some remnants of, is not the truth.

It's sad that there is this purification because of human failing, but the gates of hell will not prevail. Jesus said so.