An Italian reporter quoted someone from the Vatican as stating that JPII has some sort of "spiritual" connection with Vatican II. He is utterly convinced that it was the best thing for the Church -- nevermind objective reality as pointed out so clearly by Buchanan above. Your post was well-stated. Until more Catholics see the 800 pound gorilla in front of them, the decline will continue. A return of the Mass would go a long way toward turning the whole thing around. Some have speculated that JPI was contemplating just such a move before his untimely death...