Colorless & boring.

Regarding Eamon Duffy's article on the de-Christianization of Europe: the main problem of the Catholic Church is not only the diminishing number of priests and faithful. These are mere symptoms. The main problem is with the church's self-esteem. The church has forgotten what she knew, what she was capable of. Worst of all, she has forgotten where she stands.

In the wake of Vatican II there was much enthusiasm for reform in the Catholic world. Many of these developments have been extremely fruitful and liberating. But many advocates of reform have tended to throw out the baby with the bath water. They question the role of the pope, the standing of the clergy, sometimes even the fundamentals of Christianity such as the Resurrection or the Virgin Birth. While struggling toward "freedom," they are unaware that they are undermining the very foundations of Catholicism. Instead of converting to any Protestant church of their choice, they try to "reform" the Catholic Church--the outcome of which would be a colorless and boring "basic Christianity" that holds no interest whatsoever.

PETRA MIHALY

Vienna, Austria