I was disappointed, but not surprised, by Vincent Massaro's column Monday about the pope's U.S. visit. It confirmed what many people know but do not want to admit: Anti-Catholic speech is one of the remaining acceptable forms of discrimination in America today.
The title would have readers believe that Mr. Massaro has reasonable concern over the exorbitant reception of Pope Benedict XVI in our country.
However, if you read his column, you would have been treated to an incoherent and ignorant diatribe against not only the pope but the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholics of good faith. Not only was his indictment of the pope based mainly on the actions of others (CNN commentators, spectators, etc.), but Massaro also tastelessly reduced the Catholic liturgy to a "shindig" or a "boring" sporting event.
If there is any redeeming value to be found in Monday's column, it is at the end, when he suggests that the Church should do more to help the poor. However, this attempt at compassion can hardly be taken seriously amidst such a shameless display of unwarranted disdain, disrespect, and, quite frankly, bigotry.
