Have most Irish Catholics lost the faith?

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First Holy Communion at Holy Family Home for Girls, Bacolod City, Philippines


A few months ago, at a large funeral in a mid-western Irish town for a devout, much-loved 88-year-old family man, his 13 handsome, 20- and 30-something grandchildren brought joy and life to the occasion. The one thing they failed to bring was a knowledge of basic Mass etiquette. Throughout the consecration, oblivious to the bowed and kneeling congregation behind them, all 13 remained seated, exchanging the odd friendly word. Then they all trooped solemnly up for Communion.

It generated some quiet exchanges afterwards. The local priest said cheerfully that all were welcome in his church, regardless of their knowledge or devotion – “sure, isn’t that what we’re here for?” A visiting priest remarked mildly that “nearly all Irish Catholics were infantilised – their spiritual development was arrested back around First Communion time”.

A 50-something layman shrugged and said : “They’re gone in any meaningful sense. They’ll turn up in church because they know their grandad would have wanted it and they like the sense of community it gives them – but do they really believe in any of it anymore . . . ?”

The above is the opening of an article by Kathy Sheridan in today's issue of The Irish Times, Never less cause for celebration with just a third of Catholics attending weekly Mass.The article is related to a recent poll in the Irish Republic commissioned by the paper and in the wider context of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Dublin from 10 to 17 June.

Full post here.

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