[George W. Bush]

But I think you're wrong about the future of the Catholic Church in America. The 'conservatives' are out-reproducing, and out-ordaining the 'liberals'.

I do hope you're right. But America is pretty far gone. It's an uphill battle for all of us. Fortunately, our opponents are diminishing their own strength by eliminating their own future via abortion/sodomy. And their churches are dying. It is not entirely hopeless. But decades will pass before we will see much improvement. We have to wait for them to die off and fend off their recruitment in our own ranks.

As far as Europe, there are a few hopeful demographic signs in eastern Europe (birth rates, orthodox belief), among both Roman and Orthodox adherents. This does not disappoint me. Hopefully, they'll avoid the European superstate trap. The future of European Christianity is in its East, I think. Actually, demographics indicate that most of Europe's future is in the former Warsaw Pact.

[ArrogantBustard]

But America is pretty far gone.

When I compare legalised abortion to the great genocides of the 20^th Century, I'm not kidding. The constant post 9/11 barrage of "God Bless America" sometimes annoys me. Why should He do such a thing? See the quote from Francis Cardinal Arinze on my profile. America stands indicted on all counts.

But decades will pass before we will see much improvement

Perhaps. But above all things, God demands of us Fidelity. We must hold fast to the Faith handed down to us from the Apostles, preach the Gospel, and leave the rest in God's Hands. A priest friend of mine is fond of reminding, when things look bleak and I start getting pessimistic and cynical: "God is in control".