But the subject of the article has nothing to do with Catholicism.

It is in fact about an Iowa school that expelled five students after discovering a photo of them wearing robes of the anti-Catholic Klu Klux Klan.

The students stood next to a burning cross while waving a Confederate flag.

The photo in Yahoo's article shows Catholic penitents wearing long robes and pointed hats when celebrating Holy Week in Naples, Italy.

The author, obviously not bothered to find a photo of the real KKK, claimed that the robes worn by the Catholic faithful in the Easter procession were "reminiscent of the Klu Klux Klan".

He did, however, acknowledge the religious, Catholic nature of the procession.

The author's ignorant association of Catholics with the anti-Catholic KKK appears to try to connect Catholics' celebration of Easter with bigotry and white supremacy.

In his Arlington Catholic Herald editorial William Aitcheson says images from last week's deadly white supremacist and white nationalist rally in Charlottesville "brought back memories of a bleak period in my life that I would have preferred to forget".

He credits his faith as helping him overcome the hatred he felt as a young man.

"While 40 years have passed, I must say this: I'm sorry. To anyone who has been subjected to racism or bigotry, I am sorry. I have no excuse, but I hope you will forgive me.

"My actions were despicable. When I think back on burning crosses, a threatening letter, and so on, I feel as though I am speaking of somebody else. It's hard to believe that was me."

Aitcheson, who is 62, was ordained in 1988 after attending seminary at the North American College in Rome. He spent his early years as a priest in Nevada before becoming a permanent priest of the Diocese of Arlington in 1998.

Catholic Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge called Aitcheson's past with the Ku Klux Klan "sad and deeply troubling".

The diocese says there have been no accusations of racism or bigotry against Aitcheson during his time at the diocese.

After ordination, he worked in Nevada before being transferred to his home town of Arlington.

Source

• Stuff
• CNN
• Image: LBC9News