Well, the bullying done by the Catholic church down there is very similar to the giant pre-Reformation church, as is the discouraging people to study the Bible themselves and emphasizing priests as God's intercessors, etc. The other things are where mysticism and such has crept in. But as for works salvation and lack of assurance, isn't that what Luther objected to in the first place, being so moved by the verse "the just shall live by FAITH"? So that was around back then. Plus there were the Crusades and all (well before Luther, of course), which get blamed on all of Christianity, even we evangelicals today. I could definitely see some crusades happening in E.S., especially if the communists take over and make it an even less stable environment. But yes, these days the Catholic church in most of the world would be appalled by what is done in their name in this and other third world countries. But because of how people associate all Christians with Catholicism, I hope it doesn't come out, because I think in the end it would do more harm than good, what with people saying, "Oh, you know those Christians, always trying to bully governments and wring people dry of their money," etc. But I think the Pope would be appalled.