Excellent point!
Now, there is no mass exodus from Ireland or Italy or Poland. These communities are no longer one nationality, now we have a "melting pot" of people in the formerly "little Italy" or "little Ireland" communities.
Precisely! Here in the northeast, there are so many 'ethnic' churches, lovingly constructed by their respective communities over 100 years ago. These ethnic groups were assimilated into the American landscape and have since moved to the suburbs or to other states and these magnificent churches now stand nearly empty. The bishop is closing them down.
This is also true with our small Maronite community. On December 4, we will celebrate the parish's Centennial. It was built by Lebanese immigrants and the old timers still refer to it as a 'Lebanese' parish. But Father recently addressed this with them and us, explaining that St. Ann's is no longer an 'ethnic' church but a Maronite Catholic Church that serves all catholics, regardless of their country of origin. (that includes me :-)
Catholic is catholic, regardless of one's nationality or tradition. As a Roman Catholic attending a Maronite Cathoic Church, I have enjoyed learning about their customs and foods which are tasty and delectible. But when the meatless potluck dinner is organized for Good Friday, I bring a non-Lebanese dish to introduce them to other cuisines and they love it!
If you look at the explosion of catholicism in the southern US states, the most obvious factor is the lack of ethnicity. Those churches are catholic first, with ethnic groups contributing, where applicable.
So the Catholic plan if the manage to bring Moscow under their heal is to take away everyone's ethnic traditions as well?