The Church, or geographic parts thereof, seems to be going through a bit of a phase at the moment where we don’t want to do anything that someone might find even the slightest bit offensive or objectionable and indeed some folks don’t like seeing a Corpus on a cross. Personally I don’t agree with making concessions or “compromises” for others who find Catholicism uncomfortable for whatever reason. It is our Faith after all.
The protestants probably protested against it during the reformation because they were (and some still are) stuck on the ridiculous and false notion that Catholicism champions idolatry (they didn’t like our statues very much either).
Without going deeper into the theology surrounding the use and importance of the crucifix to our Faith, suffice it to say that one must remember the Roman Catholic Church celebrates a sacrifice at each and every mass during which bread and wine is transubstantiated into the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Blessed Lord. The crucifixion best symbolizes and depicts that. This is the really the focus-point and culmination of a Catholic Mass. It seems to me that the concept is simply being gradually watered down in our liturgies and places of worship. IMHO I think it’s a sad sign of the times to see many Catholic Churches opting to go without a crucifix. There would be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.
God Bless…