Pope Francis had to note the many protests that followed along his parade route in Dublin. Outside Dublin Castle a group held a banner that read, “We Will Never Forget,”’ and chanted “Keep our children safe.”
The international press lauded the election of an openly gay son of an Indian immigrant as a sign of how progressive our tiny little island had become.
The fact that the government handed ownership of a new $330 million state hospital to a religious order has led to a national debate over the continued involvement of the Catholic Church in Ireland’s health care system.
"The church is in a different space," says Archbishop Martin. "We must be more invitational, using a ministry of presence, gently explaining the message of the church and inviting people in."
The Archbishop of Dublin taking to the national airwaves to address “Grindr, which is a gay dating site,” managed to jolt the listening public in Ireland.