By and large Catholics grin and bear the situation, finding such solace as they can in the perennial truths of their faith and the never-failing presence of Our Lord in the sacraments. While churchgoing continues to decline, forms of New Age spirituality permeate the mainstream culture. This is, after all, basically a consumer society in which religion is best accommodated as a lifestyle option or fashion accessory. There is a great deal of religious searching going on, but woe betide anyone who thinks they have found the end of their quest. We are allowed questions, but not answers.
Answers are for fundamentalists and cultists.
That, at least, seems to be the culturally prevailing view. In countries such as Italy and France, a new phenomenon has arisen that breaks this pattern. Still viewed with suspicion in England, ecclesial movements such as Focolare, the Neocatechumenate and Communion and Liberation are drawing thousands, even millions, of young people into vibrant communities of living faith. The Pope has spoken of these movements as a new Pentecost , as the fulfilment of the Council s hope and as the likely future of the Church. They are not cults, although at times they display cult-like tendencies.