Old dude, I've spent at least half my life working with, entertaining, socialising with, and breeding with Irish Catholics - what's your point?

I enjoy and value Joe's contributions, and even when we disagree there is no malice in it. I think that's understood - I certainly hope so anyway.

What I don't 'lump together' are Catholics and Catholicism. Whatever criticisms I might make of Catholicism are most definitely not directed at all Catholics. Perhaps I should endeavour to make that more obvious in future.