[txzman]

My friend - I am glad YOU had a different background. I attended church, in Irish communities in Chicago, Portuguese schools in Thailand and Jesuit schools in Japan. Not ONE Priest ever told me to read the Bible for penance (and no one I know ever got that either) - or for any other reason.

Good for you. I simply joined a Christian church whose focus was what Jesus intended - read and hold close His Word - not what other men tell you is His Word

[Aliska]

At least twice I was given a penance of reading the bible. One was from the missal but it's still God's word.

For a long time I was really into indulgences. The best and easiest way to obtain a plenary indulgence every single day takes only one-half hour under the proper conditions, confession within 8 days (have to check on that) and receive communion that day.

Catholics aren't in the habit of reading the bible because I think if you are raised catholic, you derive more comfort from mass. My comfort comes primarily from the bible, sometimes from mass (when I was more confident it was still valid), and protestant reading.