No, the persecution is not coming—it is already here

This piece was written for Catholic World Report and you can read the full article there.

Many in Catholic media have taken to warning that religious persecution is coming. Yet, such statements seem oblivious to what is already taking place. The persecution of Christians and especially Catholics tends to target individuals (and families) over groups, which makes it easier to miss. We are so disconnected from our neighbors in the pew that we can neither fight alongside them in their battles nor help them to bear their crosses. These are among the tragic consequences of the lack of community that exists today.

A realistic appraisal of current trends would reveal that no one in the modern age, neither government agency nor politician, makes neutered decisions out of fear of “upsetting the Catholics”. Those days have passed. There was a time in which Catholics as a body were more acknowledged, but that was when they were not trying too hard to blend with the world, nor did they care to apologize for their distinctiveness.

Continue reading at Catholic World Report.