Is it the beginning of the end of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland?

Nice to see that even the staunch Irish have begun to enter the real world.

I think they are going through a lean time in the west generally and much of it is sadly self inflicted. however the truth wil always win and the Cristian Churches are the truth and must not compromise on the message of CHRIST. IT CAN NOT BE COMPROMISED. the problem is all too often understanding what the message is and means and therein lies the temptation to compromise. That is not the message of Christ. There is no room for compromise. Toleration may be right but acceptance of sin is wrong. The Church of Rome has fallen below it's own set standards and needs to go through a period of reform which will be a heartbreaking and difficult road. Ultimately it will come through these troubled times and when it does All Christians will benefit. I mean all Christians not just those who look to rome

If the church is not chock-full on Easter and Christmas, I might be convinced that the Roman Catholic Church is losing significant ground in Ireland.

On a more-or-less typical Sunday like today it's not really surprising, since the churches are pretty much designed to be full on the busiest of days. It would be unusual if the church were "packed full" on a more-or-less typical Sunday like today.

I dont think its the fault of the actual church or the Catholic religion is it ? its the fault of its ministers. Surely they could be more strict. If I was a Priest I would feel a bit uneasy being alone with a young person. Shame really.

So you want Eire to be a non Catholic country. Get yo ars* over to Great Britain then. Or elsewhere.

Oh please oh please oh pleaaaassseee let it be the end. I wouldn't mind the whole religion aspect of it, but when priests are specifically told that they don't have to go to the authorities and report abuse incidents, that's when I say get them all the hell out.

Though I can't help but wonder if it does go, what religion is going to try and replace it?

Many religions are having trouble.

Jesus saves but can the churches be saved?

Such matters tend to be cyclic

Yeah, I see it on RTE2... we're all getting ready for the Croatia game, no time for all that malarky!