It's interesting to see how the Church are handling he Pope's forthcoming visit to Ireland - not particularly well
Our papers are full of critical articles and letters, mainly from the faithful on his lip-service meaningless apology for decades of clerical abuse and it hasn't helped that Mary McAleese, one of the two most influential Presidents in Irish history has been told that 'there are not tickets' for her to attend the Rally
Mary, a devout Catholic, has now publicly described the appearances at Phoenix Park and Knock as "right-wing rallies"
As far as Ireland is concerned, the Church has been at the crossroads of survival for some time now - crass stupidity and a refusal to face up to responsibility is rapidly becoming the deciding factor.
It isn't helping that they still owe the victims of institution €1.3billion
in agreed reparation
Jim Carroll