Transforming Post-Catholic Ireland: Religious Practice in Late Modernity review
One of Gladys Ganiel’s most striking findings is that the Irish cannot stop talking about Catholicism
Faith in competition: Catholicism has become one of a number of options available in a mixed religious market. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Mary Redmond, a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Ballyboden, one of the case studies dealt with in this intriguing publication by Gladys Ganiel, opens the book with the following observation: “A lot of people say to you: why are you still a Catholic? Imagine, being asked that question in Ireland! It’s quite extraordinary.”
The remarkable thing about Redmond’s reaction to being asked this question is that she should be surprised by it. After all, it has been clear for some time that Irish people’s attitude to Catholicism, formerly one of deference, even obsequiousness, has been totally transformed in the past few decades. From being a badge of honour proudly worn for all to see and admire, Catholicism is now what D Vincent Twomey described in The End of Irish Catholicism? (2003) as “more often than not an embarrassment to be reluctantly admitted”.