There are several former roman catholics, who are now Christians, in the class I teach who confirm what you say regarding the admonition to not read the Bible.
And I know of more of the formers who are just glad to be free from the pressure.
Every former Catholic I know says the same thing.
And what I see here that is disingenuous, is that some Catholics will come along and say that they are encouraged to read the Bible in their church. Now. In SOME parishes.
But they don’t tell us what they grew up being told. They just use present day information and give it as if it had always been that way, and then accuse us of lying.
You are correct sir. It certainly was true in my case, and I am not even in your class. I was, however, a VERY rebellious dude. When I was told I couldn't read the Bible, what do you suppose was the first thing I did? I picked up a Bible and read it. Good for me, huh?