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The Best Catholics in the World: The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship

Derek Scally

4(548 readers)
When Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology--East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.

He travels the length and breadth of Ireland and across Europe, going to Masses, novenas, shrines, and seminaries, talking to those who have abandoned the Church and those who have held on, to survivors and campaigners, to writers, historians, psychologists, and many more. And he has probing and revealing encounters with Vatican officials, priests, and religious along the way.

The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom, and compassion, Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.

Publisher

Sandycove

Publication Date

6/15/2021

ISBN

9781844885268

Pages

352

Categories

History

Questions & Answers

The Irish Catholic experience has been shaped significantly by its historical contributions and contemporary challenges. Historically, the Church played a pivotal role in education, healthcare, and national identity, fostering a sense of community and continuity. However, the Penal Laws and the Penal era's narrative of suffering and victimhood created a legacy of victimhood that, while comforting, also contributed to a culture of deference and silence.

Contemporary challenges, particularly the abuse scandals, have exposed the Church's failures, leading to a crisis of faith and trust. The scandals revealed the Church's role in systemic abuse, cover-ups, and a lack of accountability. This has led to a reevaluation of the Church's role in society, with many questioning its relevance and authority.

The legacy of the Church's historical contributions remains, but it is increasingly overshadowed by the contemporary challenges. The Church must now address its past, confront its failures, and redefine its role in a modern Ireland that values transparency, accountability, and justice. The process of healing and reconciliation will be complex, requiring a collective effort to understand the past, confront its complexities, and move towards a more inclusive and just future.

The Church played a pivotal role in shaping Irish society, acting as a central institution in politics, education, and social life. It was deeply intertwined with the state, influencing laws and policies, and providing education and healthcare. The Church's influence was particularly strong during the Penal Laws period, when it faced restrictions but also thrived through clandestine practices.

Over the past few decades, this influence has significantly diminished. Scandals, particularly those involving child sexual abuse and cover-ups, have eroded the Church's credibility and authority. The Church's role in education and healthcare has also waned as the state has taken over these responsibilities. Additionally, the rise of secularism and changing social attitudes have led to a decline in religious participation. Despite this, the Church's legacy remains deeply embedded in Irish culture and identity, influencing attitudes and values even as its direct influence wanes.

The abuse scandals within the Catholic Church in Ireland have significantly damaged the Church's reputation and its role in society. The public perception shifted from viewing the Church as a moral authority to seeing it as an institution that failed to protect children and covered up abuse. This has led to a loss of trust and a decline in attendance at Mass.

To address the legacy of these scandals, several steps can be taken:

  1. Full Disclosure: The Church must release all relevant documents and records to ensure transparency and allow for a comprehensive understanding of the extent of the abuse and cover-up.

  2. Apologies and Reparations: The Church should issue sincere apologies to survivors and their families, and provide financial and emotional reparations where appropriate.

  3. Reform: Implement systemic changes within the Church to prevent future abuse, including stricter child protection policies, better training for clergy, and more accountability for bishops and religious leaders.

  4. Community Healing: Encourage community dialogue and healing processes, such as truth and reconciliation commissions, to address the collective trauma and foster a path to reconciliation.

  5. Education: Educate the public on the history and impact of the scandals, and promote a more critical understanding of the Church's role in society.

The evolving relationship between the Irish people and the Catholic Church has profound implications for Irish society and culture. Historically, the Church was deeply intertwined with Irish identity and governance, but the revelations of abuse and institutional failures have led to a significant shift. This shift implies:

  1. Decentralization of Faith: The Church's diminishing influence means a more secular society, allowing for diverse beliefs and expressions of spirituality. This could foster a more inclusive culture.

  2. Social Responsibility: The need for accountability and transparency in institutions, including the Church, will likely lead to a more responsible society, where individuals and groups are expected to take ownership of their actions.

  3. Memory and Healing: Acknowledging and addressing the past's traumas, such as the Magdalene Laundries and child abuse, is crucial for healing and moving forward. This could lead to the creation of memorials, museums, and educational programs to preserve history and promote understanding.

  4. Community and Service: With the Church's role potentially changing, there may be an opportunity for increased community involvement in social services, potentially filling gaps left by the Church's withdrawal.

  5. Cultural Identity: The Church's role in shaping Irish culture is significant, and its diminishing influence might lead to a reevaluation of what defines Irish culture, potentially leading to a more diverse and dynamic cultural landscape.

Ireland can move forward by acknowledging its Catholic past's complexities. This involves:

  1. Honest Reflection: Engage in open discussions about the past, including the good and bad aspects of Catholicism, to foster understanding and healing.
  2. Truth and Reconciliation: Establish a truth and reconciliation process, possibly modeled after Canada's National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, to address the legacy of abuse and institutional neglect.
  3. Access to Information: Ensure survivors and researchers have access to archives and testimonies to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the past.
  4. Education: Incorporate a more balanced view of Irish Catholic history into the curriculum, highlighting both the contributions and the flaws.
  5. Community Involvement: Encourage community dialogue and participation in the healing process, allowing for diverse perspectives to be heard.
  6. Policy Changes: Implement policies that protect the vulnerable and promote social justice, ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

By taking these steps, Ireland can build a future that is empathetic, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

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