I'm amazed at what you are saying. Don't you realize that the Christian Democratic Party was the dominant party across Europe for decades after World War II? In Italy, Austria, West Germany, France, the Netherlands--it was the dominant political force during the reconstruction period. It saved the West from Communism--and it was directly connected to the Catholic Church. I don't know where you guys get your history from, but you have a lot of catching up to do. The Church was NOT in decline--it was a force to be reconned with right up to the close of the Council. Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland--each was not only considered Catholic, but strongly Catholic. Church attendance was high--somewhere around 80%.
I believe Christianity did experience a renewal in the POST war years (of which little trace can now be seen). This was due in no small part to men being hung out over the burning pit of hell (in what they had experienced in the War)
I can tell you for a fact that Christianity in Germany was in a shambles prior to WWII. This was largly because of post WWI existentialism and theological liberalism (Germany being the center of the storm). Austria also.
Why do you think Hitler was able to so easily transfer such intense devotion to himself? It was because people had lost sight of Christ.
***It saved the West from Communism***
But not Socialism - right?
***Church attendance was high--somewhere around 80%.***
Church attendance figures do not necessarily reflect the state of devotion in the heart of a people.
And well after.....you should trumpet the Church's efforts and contributions to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the late 80's and the rise of democracy in Latin America. Let's not forget Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Phillipines.....come to think of it, the post V2 church has been more an agent for positive political change than the pre-V2 church.