Pope Leo XIII predicted the Modern Tyrant State

"Naturalists... worship above all things the divinity of the State" 

Leo XIII, Arcanum

Pope Benedict XVI with joyful children 

Recent Popes (John Paul II and Benedict XVI) have both spoken and written of the dangers of a "democratic" state that does not have a moral foundation as being merely a transitional phase to eventual totalitarianism. A few quotes from Leo XIII (Libertas) demonstrates how prophetic that great pope was in pointing out the dangers well over a century ago. 

Pope John Paul II 

In our age, we see its practical results in nation-states devoid of morality; indeed, to such a degree that legislation is passed to "legalize" the destruction of human life in the womb of mothers. Not only that, but the full force of the modern totalitarian State is used to oppress those who would oppose such evil. An example in our country of Canada is the vile persecution of Mary Wagner and Linda Gibbons - as Susan Fox points out - for their opposition to abortion; such "opposition" manifesting itself in distributing roses and offering alternatives to expectant mothers who are considering killing their unborn child. Yet this is intolerable for the modern tyrant State. Truth must be crushed! 

Pope Leo XIII

Such evils were easily foreseen by the great "pope of the encyclicals", Leo XIII. In our day, with rampant confusion amongst Catholics, many placing the so-called "rights of man" above the true rights of God, it may well be time for them to read and meditate on the words and warnings from the great pope. Without realizing it, the vast majority of Catholics are infected with liberalism. Canada and America (indeed the entire "West") in their  laws and governance manifest the doctrine of liberalism and as a consequence, independent morality. Are Catholics aware of this? Do most Catholics even care anymore? I doubt it. Some may be shocked; but that only underscores sublime ignorance and the need for catechesis. Pope Leo's Libertas is a litmus test for fidelity to Christ the King. 

What naturalists or rationalists aim at in philosophy, that the supporters of liberalism, carrying out the principles laid down by naturalism, are attempting in the domain of morality and politics. The fundamental doctrine of rationalism is the supremacy of the human reason, which, refusing due submission to the divine and eternal reason, proclaims its own independence, and constitutes itself the supreme principle and source and judge of truth. Hence, these followers of liberalism deny the existence of any divine authority to which obedience is due, and proclaim that every man is the law to himself; from which arises that ethical system which they style independent morality, and which, under the guise of liberty, exonerates man from any obedience to the commands of God, and substitutes a boundless license. 

The end of all this it is not difficult to foresee, especially when society is in question. For, when once man is firmly persuaded that he is subject to no one, it follows that the efficient cause of the unity of civil society is not to be sought in any principle external to man, or superior to him, but simply in the free will of individuals; that the authority in the State comes from the people only; and that, just as every man's individual reason is his only rule of life, so the collective reason of the community should be the supreme guide in the management of all public affairs. Hence the doctrine of the supremacy of the greater number, and that all right and all duty reside in the majority. 

But, from what has been said, it is clear that all this is in contradiction to reason. To refuse any bond of union between man and civil society, on the one hand, and God the Creator and consequently the supreme Law-giver, on the other, is plainly repugnant to the nature, not only of man, but of all created things; for, of necessity, all effects must in some proper way be connected with their cause; and it belongs to the perfection of every nature to contain itself within that sphere and grade which the order of nature has assigned to it, namely, that the lower should be subject and obedient to the higher.

Moreover, besides this, a doctrine of such character is most hurtful both to individuals and to the State. For, once ascribe to human reason the only authority to decide what is true and what is good, and the real distinction between good and evil is destroyed; honor and dishonor differ not in their nature, but in the opinion and judgment of each one; pleasure is the measure of what is lawful; and, given a code of morality which can have little or no power to restrain or quiet the unruly propensities of man, a way is naturally opened to universal corruption. With reference also to public affairs: authority is severed from the true and natural principle whence it derives all its efficacy for the common good; and the law determining what it is right to do and avoid doing is at the mercy of a majority. 

Now, this is simply a road leading straight to tyranny. The empire of God over man and civil society once repudiated, it follows that religion, as a public institution, can have no claim to exist, and that everything that belongs to religion will be treated with complete indifference...