As for the entire population of Ireland being guilty of accepting oppression from the Catholic Church, I think there's truth in that, just as there's truth in the guilt of the entire nation of the United States accepting slavery and later racism as "just the way it is."

A poor analogy, I'm afraid, Joe. Your "entire nation" phrase suggests that both white and black elements "accepted" slavery in that sense. Do you really believe that? The oppressed "accept" oppression only in the sense that many of them become innured to it.

Blurring the distinction between the oppressed and the oppressor is unhelpful, at best.

Regards.