“The Church needs to shrink, not grow, as +Francis keeps insisting, and persecution will be the means to do it. “
I so much agree with that. I’ve seen my Lutheran church have “growth” turn into their religion.
Whatever it takes to bring in more and more people. There is no concern if these people who must be brought in by having offers of coffee and popular music might eventually start having a voice in the future direction of the church.
I am so sick of having this discussion with libs in my Church. Stop trying to change that which cannot be changed. I had this argument with a Dominican "Sister", Frequently. She drove me up a wall! I was always told that I had to be opened minded. Believe me, it took all that is Catholic within me, not to strangle her with my bare hands. The Bishop finally after years and years of complaints banished her from the Diocese. The good monsignor at that parish was scared to death of her. I could go on but you get the picture! She was a Universalist at best. Not a Catholic, all that new age psychological mumbo jumbo. OMG!
I have run into that also.
The pressure to go along to get along is very strong. Even in my (very orthodox) LCMS parish.