[JCBreckenridge]

Interesting to note that there was a time, not so long ago - where Catholic marriages were not recognized by the civil authorities in Italy. I foresee this will return, where the state will not accept marriages performed by the Catholic church.

[muawiyah]

They've been back and forth on the various permutations of civil and religious registration all over Europe for centuries. That process will continue.

The next stage of normal European transformation is the move from the large nation-state to the small principality with idiosyncratic rules.

That's usually set off by some sort of calamity of horrendous proportions.

Just a matter of time.