Scary isn't it?
[Scary isn’t it?]
Scary in what way?
Not sure about this particular conspiracy theory, but the general idea of the threat of Ccommunist infiltration was/is real. In 1937, in the encyclical “Divini Redemptoris” Pope Pius XI forbade Catholics worldwide from any association with Communists, even socially. Later Pope Pius XII declared that professing or promoting Communism constitutes apostasy and that the sacraments must be refused to those who actively participate in Communist publications or propaganda.
In the glory days of the USSR, it was commonly thought among conservative intellectuals that the only two great institutions that could prevent Communist dominion of the world were the USA, of course, and the Catholic Church because of it’s antithesis to Communism, based on individual redemption, the sanctity of life, and God as the ultimate reality and source of truth.
Communism and Catholicism are diametrically opposed, as Pope John Paul II also pointed out, so it makes sense that the church would be a major target for the Communists. If we take a look at most of the bishops today, it’s not completely unbelievable that such a conspiracy of some sort, perhaps with unwitting collaborators of liberal social causes, has been at work for quite some time.
...and to bring my verbose post above to a more common level, a nearby parish of mostly regular, nice, average Catholics has a few members who are self-proclaimed “communists” (one even declares himself an “anarchist”). One of them controls the music ministry and another the religious education program.
The Soviet Art of Brainwashing: A Synthesis on the Russian Texbook on Psychopolitics:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7006/psychopolitics.html
The Desolate City:
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a383b7dfd77dd.htm#top
Current Communist Goals
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3a2d1c346bcc.htm
Communist Exploitation of Religion (US Senate)
http://freerepublic.com/forum/a3ab83bab1064.htm
Windswept House
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1136142/posts
Also try googling this oldies for cached copies:
Attitude Channeling and Brainwashing
Propaganda Techniques
A Thought That HAunts Me Constantly