The current wave of anti-Catholicism in the Western world is reminiscent of the Klan’s attacks on Catholics in the US in the 1920s and the anti-Catholicism seen in Germany prior to Hitler’s rise to power. There hasn’t been a wave of virulent anti-Catholicism in the West like what we are currently witnessing in at least a hundred years.
For example, the FBI has been investigating some orthodox Catholics, citing the Southern Poverty Law Center as its source. The FBI has produced a report on “Radical-Traditionalist Catholics” which labels them as extremist, anti-Jewish and anti-gay bigots. However, the FBI is forbidden from opening cases based solely on First Amendment-protected activities.
In Canada, a 16-year-old Catholic student was arrested for stating that there are only two sexes and that male students should not use the women’s restrooms. The student’s principal suspended him and demanded that he renounce his views, which are based on Catholic teachings.
In England, a priest was arrested for praying outside an abortion clinic. The priest was holding a sign reading “Praying for Freedom of Speech.” This was deemed “intimidation” and considered unlawful. The priest believes that the state is trying to control his thoughts, a situation that is becoming increasingly prevalent in the West.
“I pray wherever I go, inside my head, for the people around me. How can it be a crime for a priest to pray?”
In many instances, the attack against the Catholic Church is a literal attack. A recent study found there were 420 acts of hostility against 397 churches between January 2018 and September 2022. The attacks took place across 45 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., according to the report.
There is a campaign to break the Catholic Church – and it represents a larger societal trend of intolerance toward Christianity.
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Image Credits:
• Facing Saint Peter's basilica, Rome, Italy, Vatican City via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - Creative Commons License, August 25, 2013
Featured Image Credit:
• Facing Saint Peter's basilica, Rome, Italy, Vatican City via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - Creative Commons License, August 25, 2013