Wow!  The mystery of what I call the "instead of Christ" has plagued me intensely, and I cannot believe what your research has revealed.  I also grew up in the catholic church.  What pains me is there are some really wonderful people there; but alas, I am accountable to my Lord and Savior and have stepped away.  I was baptized in the Baptist church 14 years ago and still cannot believe the joy I feel in worshipping there.  I have been studying the Bible in depth for about 6 or 7 years and have been looking for the "instead of Christ" ever since.  People have had their theories, but none of the others seemed to completely add up.  Thank you for sharing this.
 
Waiting in anticipation of the Real Christ,
 
Corey Anne