Obviously, us American posters are trying to say we need to save Europe from itself.

We seem to have this innate need to storm Normandy again, and we are looking for an excuse.
From this side of the Atlantic, things do look a bit concerning. Perhaps it is the unconcious knowledge that what is happening culturally in Europe tends to catch up with us over here a few years down the line.
However, before we talk about Charlemange, may I gently remind my American bretheren that there is plenty of work to be done over here. I get the impression (forgive me if I am wrong) that most of the posters on this messageboard come from the American South/Midwest- well I can attest to the Northeast needing a bit of work when it comes to faith.
It saddens me to see the traditional culture fall away, though I have met many fine religious folk, orthodoxy (or the resemblance of it) seems hard to find.
I’m going to slip in an antecodote, if you allow me; but having gone to Catholic school and growing up in a town that is overwhelming compromised of Catholics and Catholic immigrants, you would be hard pressed to find anyone in my age (18 to 30) group who may still hold onto any sort of Christian beliefs (other than the vague notion that Jesus was a ‘good guy’ and that God is a ‘caring father’.) The Catholic Youth retreats were run by the few Pentecostals/Non-Denominationals (rather liberal ones,) who promoted such things as sex before marriage.

And no priest that I know of was concerned, they were just glad to get the kids here to talk about God.
And these were the “fruits” that grew under His Emminence, Cardinal Egan. I was a very young child when he left our diocese as bishop; and though things have gotten a little (and I mean a little) better under Bishop Lori- not much has changed. This isn’t meant as a condemnation of either man; but a method to gauge the desparation of the situation. Both men are rather prominent American Catholic figures, and they could barely make a dent in the area.
I was extremely blessed with a very learned priest, an almost saintly man who was youthful and had the energy to work with children when I was growing up- if not for Fr.Cyprian, I am not sure I would have any interest whatsoever in theology.
So before we worry about the future of Europe, how about we focus on the future of America?
