If such an act had been done to ridicule Islam, you can bet that the response would have been stronger.
Yes, its just a wafer. Symbolically, it is the Body of Christ, but that action is between Christ and His malefactors.
Perhaps the Catholic Church would have garnered more respect and empathy were they to have forgiven the brazen thief, thus deflating his whole intention of public response.
Edited by Phat, : spelling