Final answer:
The statement is false; Catholics have not uniformly opposed Bibles in public schools, but have had issues with how religious instruction was conducted, leading to legal rulings ensuring religious neutrality in public education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Catholics did not want any Bibles present in public schools is generally false. While it's true that there have been historical instances of tension between Catholic beliefs and Protestant-influenced public school teachings, Catholics have not categorically opposed the presence of Bibles in schools. However, issues have arisen with the type of Bible used and how religious instruction was handled in public education. The landmark case of Abington School District v. Schempp clarified that school-sponsored Bible reading and religious instruction in public schools is unconstitutional, ensuring that state-sponsored activities do not favor one religious denomination over another and respecting the principles of religious freedom and the Establishment Clause.
Historical evidence shows that concerns about state sponsorship of religion in the United States have involved different religious groups and the development of public school curricula. Religious toleration in some colonies, like Carolina, did help to attract new colonists who sought religious freedom.