But pre-Vat II, when the Church in America was at its pinnacle, the democratic model did not prevail in the U.S.  The model of the Church in America pre-Vat II was destroyed by Vat II, in the name of the democratic model, which many here want even more of.  This will further the separation between the Church in America today, which is at its nadir, and the Church as it was 50 years ago.