We Catholics have had to live through very serious prejudice in this country. I remember the fiery torches carried past our house by the KKK, when they were showing their strength. I know what it means to be misjudged and persecuted because of our spirituality. Like us, Indian People had their sacred places destroyed and their ceremonies outlawed. Indian People were tormented by the Government, not by outlaw gangs.
Government knows that, when people pray, people have power.
And Government certainly did not want Indians to have power. This changed in 1979. By Public Law 05-34 of that year, Indian People were given their first Freedom of Religion. And we Catholics support them. They have a right to pray out of the earth from which they grow.