I have read enough of Mr. Douthat's often anguished articles about his (and your) church over the years to just about predict his conclusions sight unseen. The saddest part (and he surely knows this) is the absolutely hostile forum (NYT) in which he presents his arguments. The comments of NYT readers are a long stream of predictable sneers, total disinterest, and expressions of smug disdainful superiority associated with today's militant atheists/agnostics. Many NYT readers appear to be either hostile lapsed Christians and RC or even more so, secular non-Christians called horrible names generations ago on school property or the neighborhood corner, and now doing "payback" against active RC.

Douthat should find a writing gig at some trad RC publication. I assume he doesn't because the NYT frowns upon  moonlighting by columnists.