[NYer]

Many Catholics, when they look up at the tapestries on the walls depicting people in sneakers and birkenstocks, will wonder if it can last even a generation as a Catholic building. Thought you would appreciate this one!

[Over50Million]

NYer said, "tapestries on the walls depicting people in sneakers and birkenstocks"

Being 45 years old I have only the vaguest memories of pre-Vatican II times. And I think prior to Vatican II there probably was an oberabundance of fear, people pasting guilt onto others, a bit of superstition (people felt they were "guaranteed" entrance into heaven for wearing the scapular), the pope being carried on a throne, clericalism, triumphalism and the like.

But it sure seems that the reforms have gone a bit too far!