on this thread itself there is represented a couple of dozen pretty active Catholics that know quite a bit and read the Bible regularly.And there are many more silent Catholic readers on this forum and many, many more CAtholics in the real world who do far more than "crack open" a Bible but diligently study The Word of God and grew deeper in Christ, in His Catholic Faith.
I can also attest that in attending mass for 27 years and 12 years of Catholic parochial school with daily catechism class, I cannot recall seeing anyone bring a bible to Mass, school or catechism classes. There were no pew bibles in church, I was never castigated for not having a bible or not reading the bible. I do not recall ever being told to read the bible by any priest, nun, parent or lay adult that we had daily contact with.
While I am sure that your experience with a dozen or so online Catholic friends is different, I think it is clear that bible reading is NOT a high priority in the RCC.
The problem is 2 fold. 1st the natural man can not read the Bible with understanding .. and 2nd your church does not allow you to have any interpretation they do not give you...so basically the reading of the scriptures by "good Catholics " is like reading star wars..
And there are many more silent Catholic readers on this forum and many, many more CAtholics in the real world who do far more than "crack open" a Bible but diligently study The Word of God and grew deeper in Christ, in His Catholic Faith.
One more time, the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit for they are spiritually discerned..