Sir, – Jennifer O’Connell’s recent column suggests that Irish Catholics “cling” to ritual while privately discarding belief, implying a mixture of superstition, hypocrisy and cultural inertia. That reading feels reductive and, at times, dismissive of the deeper reasons people continue to hold faith. (“We’re not bouncy castle Catholics – we’re the incense and eulogies kind,” February 28th).
It is true the Catholic Church in Ireland has gravely wounded through institutional failure – that is irrefutable. Many believers acknowledge this openly. But to equate the sins of church leaders with the irrationality of faith itself is a category error. Christianity has always distinguished between the holiness of Christ and the frailty of those who claim to follow him. The church was founded on flawed disciples; human weakness is not a refutation of its theology but one of its starting points.
The column also portrays attachment to Catholic funerals and rituals as evidence of contradiction. Yet ritual, especially around death, is not childish superstition. Across cultures, structured communal rites help people confront grief, articulate meaning and sustain hope. For Christians, the funeral liturgy is not nostalgia; it is an expression of belief in resurrection. Even for those who wrestle with aspects of doctrine, participation in sacramental life can reflect continuity, community and a desire for transcendence rather than mere habit.
Selective adherence to institutional teaching is not unique to Catholicism; it is a feature of modern life across political, civic and cultural institutions. We critique governments, healthcare systems and media organisations without concluding that democracy, medicine or journalism are therefore empty. It is possible to demand reform and accountability while still affirming core principles.
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Finally, hope should not be confused with blindness. Christian forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing; it insists on justice while refusing to surrender to despair. To continue believing in redemption, even after betrayal, may be naive to some. To others, it is a deliberate and reasoned act of faith.
Irish Catholicism is undoubtedly complex and evolving. But reducing it to superstition or denial overlooks the intellectual, spiritual and moral depth that continues to sustain many people particularly at times of death. For some, faith is not cultural residue. It is a considered conviction that hope, ultimately, has the final word. – Yours, etc,
Bairbre McNicholas,
Dangan,
Galway.
