Catholic philosopher priest's defeatism

Fr Mark Montebello's argument can be summarised as "Some Christians have so diverged from the message of Christ that, having removed Christ from their hearts, all other Catholics may just as well not object to the removal of the crucifix from schoolroom walls also". Nothing could be more illogical and more defeatist coming from a Catholic philosopher priest. A much more logical reaction would be for him to support his religious superiors by redoubling the efforts so that weak Catholics would become better Catholics and not throw in the towel when faced with a challenge from atheists and anti-religionists.