[bert]

Compare if you will the nations of Central and South America and the Phillippines that have strong Spanish Catholic origin and history and the USA.

The USA was largely built by Protestants who were experiencing the Reformation and the French enlightenment.

America can be said to be the shining example of both. When freed from the Roman Catholic church great things happen. When stifled by its influence there is stagnation as in the Central/South and the Philippines.

[Coleus]

if it weren't for Columbus and Vespucci there wouldn't be an America.

[saradippity]

One thing you might note and ponder is that the native North Americans (Indians) were just about wiped out by those very enlightened and Reformation influenced settlers.

The Catholics who colonized or settled in Mexico,Central and South America as well as the Philippines assimilated by intermarrying or left the innocent natives alone except to Baptize in the name of The Father,Son and Holy Ghost and teach them what He had commanded those early Apostles to go out and do in His Name throughout the world,in perpetuity.

The history of Mexico and the Church is probably totally contrary to what you believe it to be and perhaps after Christmas someone will start a thread on it.

I will add that it was very unwise and impolitic for the two bishops and the one Bishop from Arizona to issue that vacuous,truth twisting position paper.