I HAVE been wondering rather sympathetically, what the bishops thought this week as they looked across at their confreres on the neighbouring island. They must have wondered what the reaction would be, not least from newspapers like The Irish Times, if they decided to follow the example of the British hierarchy and publish a "briefing document" instructing Catholics how to vote in the next general election.
Last Monday, at a press conference called to introduce the pamphlet, The Common Good, Cardinal Basil Hume denied that this was the intention. "That would be quite improper on the parts of us, the bishops," he said. But he continued, using a phrase with which we in this country are. all too familiar: "We expect Catholics to study what we have said and to vote in accordance with a properly informed conscience."
The Common Good, which stretches to 35 pages, was drawn up by six bishops working over a period of nine months. It is to be sent to 2,800 parishes in England and Wales. Priests will be instructed to preach on it and to organise courses for parishioners in the run up to the British general election.
It is a radical document, containing a swingeing critique of the inequalities in British society after 17 years of Conservative government. The bishops tackle the economic issues head on, condemning the often destructive effects of free market capitalism. "Workers have rights which are superior to the rights of capital. The right to decent work, just wages, adequate rest and holidays."
Nor are they shy about prescribing solutions. Catholics are encouraged to join trade unions and the decline in union membership in recent years is regretted. The bishops argue for a Bill of Rights to "strengthen a system of democratic values". Employers have a duty to pay a just wage and, if they fail to do so, then the state should consider imposing a statutory minimum wage. There is much more on these lines.
Not surprisingly The Common Good has already provoked the ire of leading Conservatives. There have been newspaper headlines suggesting that the bishops are instructing their flock of five million Catholics to vote for the Labour Party. In fact, quite a lot of the document's content seems considerably to the left of Tony Blair and New Labour's endorsement of the free market.
Dr David Emery Konstant, Bishop of Leeds and chairman of the group which drew up the document, has been described as "a real, unreconstructed left winger" who, if he were a Labour MP, would almost certainly have been silenced and marginalised under the present leadership.
BEFORE the letter writers reach for their pens, let me say that I am well aware that much of what is contained in The Common Good, and its application of the Catholic Church's social teaching, is already part of the bedrock of Irish politics.
I have written here, and argued the case more vehemently with English friends, that I believe the reason Ireland has never been tempted down the cruel and socially divisive path of free market economic policies is due almost entirely to the pervasive influence of the Catholic, Church.
The point is worth making since, in other respects, I have often been extremely critical of that influence. Organisations like the Conference, of Religious in Ireland provide the most rigorous arguments - and the research to back those arguments - for greater social justice in our society. Often it seems that the voice of the Catholic Church through one or other of its representatives, is the only one raised on behalf of the poor, and the most unfashionable of the dispossessed.
And yet, there are also striking differences, about the stance taken last week by the Catholic Church in England and Wales. For a start the bishops have stood up to their own fundamentalists in a way which we have not seen here. The Common Good condemns abortion and says that Catholics have a duty to protest against it, but the bishops also warn against voting for "single issue" candidates, even when the issue is abortion.
It is much more important to examine where candidates stand on a whole range of policies and to vote for the person who is most likely to promote cohesive social values. This has outraged anti abortion organisations who have condemned the bishops' document as "utterly disloyal" to Catholic teaching.
This, in turn, may be because the authors of The Common Good are operating in a different political context. The Catholic Church in Britain is one of a number of different interest groups, and by no means the most powerful. It has been regarded traditionally with deep suspicion.
One commentator, himself a Catholic, saw the publication of the document as evidence of a new confidence, that the bishops in England and Wales no longer see themselves as "alien religionists" fearful that any political intervention on their part will be viewed with deep mistrust.
It does seem to be the case that the bishops by addressing the issues in a direct and concrete fashion have touched a chord with many people who are deeply worried about what has happened to British society over the past two decades, and are desperately wondering what can be done.
Increasing social inequality, violence on the streets, the alienation of the young - with what terrible speed these have become the norm in a country where people used to take it for granted that they were tolerant of strangers, fair minded, reasonably generous. At times of crisis, like the aftermath of the Dunblane massacre, the bewilderment and sense of loss are palpable.
THE enormous public response to Frances Lawrence, widow of the murdered head teacher, who appealed this week for a less violent society and one which puts a higher value on civic virtues is only part of this. We have seen these displays of quite proper public emotion in this country, when people pour on to the streets to plead for peace. We also know how difficult it is to harness this emotion in a way that produces concrete change.
The Catholic bishops have identified, with almost brutal honesty, the political reasons for what has happened to British society and the specific remedies which, they argue, are necessary.
It would be wrong to blame Margaret Thatcher alone for the shift in direction which took place in Britain in the 1980s, but more than any other politician she articulated and legitimised what happened. When she said "There is no such thing as society" she put individual self interest and personal greed above concern for the broader communal good. Not surprisingly, it is proving very difficult to reverse the process.
It isn't enough to preach the Christian message. Difficult political action which is likely to be unpopular with many voters is what is needed.
The bishops have spelt this out with unflinching honesty. They have urged Catholics to use their political clout at the ballot box to put justice for the poor and the good of society as a whole above personal self interest. It will be interesting to see whether the politicians follow suit.