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Anti-Catholic sentiment has been present in what is now the United States since the first Europeans made their way to the continent. Once the U.S. was established, it continued to rear its ugly head in waves, often brewing in the minds of those who think of themselves as nativists, nationalists and patriots. It became a rallying point for hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
As with so many other disgraceful hatreds that have become more visible with the help of social media and our political atmosphere, this one is peeking out from behind the curtain again, too.
A recent incident in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., may seem simply a confounding annoyance, but it is worth noting.
Those who attended Easter Mass at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church found at least 100 Communion wafers had been spread all over the parking lot, many of them in front of the driver's side front door of cars, according to a report by the National Catholic Register.
Father Timothy Grassi said it appeared as though the wafers had been placed while everyone was inside for Mass.
Among the reasons such a thing would be upsetting to Catholics is the possibility that the wafers might have been consecrated hosts. But Grassi said the evidence suggested these had probably not been taken from a Catholic church and were probably not consecrated.
According to the National Catholic Register, Grassi said he suspects the action was "a way for (someone) to make a statement in some way."
He's probably right, and that is frightening. Targeting a religious group using religious symbols is not a harmless prank. It is vicious. And while we are sadly more familiar with such targeting of Jewish communities, we must be aware that similar attacks are widespread.
It's another sign that we have let ignorance, division and hatred drive us backward. It is up to all of us to speak out against it and encourage others to be better.