The Popes and Democracy – Part VI. Conclusion: Return to Sanity 55. The History of an Error

Will the free world introduce these changes? It does not appear likely. Supposing that Democracy were strong enough to destroy Communism (and it may be), or that, being strong enough, it had the will to take the necessary risks (which is doubtful), new differences would still arise afterwards, just as they arose after the destruction of Hitlerism. This is so because our humanist philosophy bears in itself the seeds of dissension and division. As long as we do not recognise our errors we will not be prepared to introduce any changes. Whilst the fatalism of history is a myth, the free choice of an error has fatal historic consequences. When things come to a show-down, it is probable that the western democracies will crack from within. Faced with agonising alternatives and harrowing dilemmas, the wavering middle-of-the-course leaders will gradually give way to more resolute and more extremist Leftist politicians. Then, the transition from Socialism to Communism will be a speedy process. A global war is unlikely, but that does not mean that there will be no fighting at all. Nor does it mean that the struggle will be over, but only that our social order, as such, will collapse. The real struggle will then be in earnest and it will be very different from what is generally expected. Our Lady of Fatima told us in plain words that unless "men do penance, Russia will spread her errors throughout the world, promoting wars and revolutions, and whole nations will be annihilated." In 1917, this prophecy sounded incredible; Russia counted for nothing on the world scene, and the Bolshevist revolution had not yet succeeded. Today, however, Russia is a World Power. Our Lady then gave to Lucia a secret message which has not, as yet, been communicated to the world. Finally, she said: "In the end, Russia will be converted and there will be peace." There is no doubt, therefore, that, with the help of God, the Communist tyranny will be over-thrown. I have mentioned Fatima because it is well-known throughout the Catholic world, and because it has been publicly acknowledged by many high-ranking prelates, especially in Europe; also by the late Pope Pius XII. But the Fatima message is not the only one of its kind. Whilst the defeat of Communism is an absolute certainty, there is every reason to believe that it will not come before a temporary victory. Again, if Communism is to be a divine punishment, (we have seen that it is, and the Fatima message, among others, gives an implicit confirmation), it is logical to expect that it should score a temporary victory.