The US, Ireland, France, Germany and who knows where else are all "lost" to the Vatican. Italy, I suppose, as well. When nuns in the US tell the Conference of Bishops "We support Obama's health care bill because we're on the front lines and you're sitting in a Chancery somewhere" -- the bishops are losing their power AND their touch with the laity (not to mention the nuns).

As the Vatican disassembles Vatican II and turns more and more to the "I'm right on heaven and on earth" of previous centuries, more and more laity will find the Vatican unnecessary.

As friends of ours once said, "We don't let our Church interfere with our Religion."

There are extraordinary things going on, great changes are coming -- but like the beginnings of the Reformation, the Vatican has its head in...the sand.