Is the Catholic Church GONE ???

MarinoMark · 09-02-2006 08:35PM #1

Just an observsation..Could be right...could be wrong... Went to mass on sunday for the first time in yonks...Massive Church...Iona Rd...The place was empty, could hold several hundred..about 50 there, all elderly..what happens when these people pass on....Empty church, worth a fortune. I also live close to Clonliffe Collage where priests are trained, Place is also massive..Training is 7 yrs. Only 13 priests there...Training over 7yrs. 13 Total. No recruits last year,1 the previous year,2 the year before...Best turn Muslim !! Comments Welcome.

Lorri_L · 09-02-2006 08:43PM

I think the Catholic church has just become to strict and outdated to be honest. I tend not to go because I would be bored silly!

Mossy Monk · 09-02-2006 08:47PM

perhaps if they got with the times people may gain interest

Ri_Nollaig · 09-02-2006 08:53PM

maybe a nice icon
^^^^^^buddy christ for example

philologos · 09-02-2006 08:56PM

MarinoMark wrote:

Best turn Muslim !! Comments Welcome.

well you could just join one of the protestant churches if you feel that way about it

smashey · 09-02-2006 09:01PM

They don't help themselves. When a Bishop in Donegal says that co-habiting couples cannot receive communion you have to think they should concentrate on more important things for example poverty and so on. To me it appears as if they spend too much time preaching about sex, much to the detriment of other subjects. And lets face it, Bishop Casey has arrived in his new home in Galway today to live a very comfortable life no doubt. Who's sin was greater? A couple living together outside marriage or a Bishop fathering a child and keeping it quiet for years while using diocese funds to support him.?

senordingdong · 09-02-2006 09:04PM

Religion has no place in the first world.

MarinoMark · 09-02-2006 09:10PM

smashey wrote:

They don't help themselves. When a Bishop in Donegal says that co-habiting couples cannot receive communion you have to think they should concentrate on more important things for example poverty and so on. To me it appears as if they spend too much time preaching about sex, much to the detriment of other subjects. And lets face it, Bishop Casey has arrived in his new home in Galway today to live a very comfortable life no doubt. Who's sin was greater? A couple living together outside marriage or a Bishop fathering a child and keeping it quiet for years while using diocese funds to support him.?

Excellent Reply !

Simi · 09-02-2006 09:18PM

Not dead yet but soon, very soon

. And I agree, religion has absolutely no place in a modern civilised society. And the catholic church continues to do irreperable challenge in the third world by preaching abstinance instead of safe sex.

Wertz · 09-02-2006 09:27PM

senordingdong wrote:

Religion has no place in the first world.

An awful lot of Americans disagree with you.

I'm not religious at all....not been to church cept for funerals since I made my confirmation...sunday mass to me when I was young was always a fashion parade where you showed your face in your sunday clothes...the vast majority of people there were hypocrites.

Religion should have a place in family life, but catholicism has it all wrong (and getting more wrong by the decade)...people don't want to be preached to and warned by some guy in a cassock who apparently's never had sex, doesn't have kids and so on.

Out of curiousity when I lived the 'States, I went along to a sunday service with some american friends...it was altogether a different experience...more of a scoial gathering, a lot more relaxed than I ever recalled mass back home being...okay so there was some evangelical aspects I didn't really have too much time for, but it wasn't being forced down people's throats either.

Catholicism ruled Ireland for many many years...I think our generation feels betrayed by it when we hear of sex scandals and abuse claims that happened way back when...a sad reality. Only elderly people still go, for no other reason that I can see than that it's a habit they've always had (that's not to dismiss their faith, assuming they have any).

One last ting that annoys me though about the lack of attendance at mass, is that the same people who don't go are probably the ones dreaming of €30 grand weddings and who take their children to be baptised right before they head for the pub to wet the baby's head....that all goes back to the hypocrisy I mentioned in my first paragraph...

mickymg2003 · 09-02-2006 09:39PM

Maybe they should try and make it not so Fu**ing boring. Its like listening to paint dry in those services.

bobbi · 09-02-2006 09:43PM

i hope the catholic church is gone.Religon is evil.:D

netwhizkid · 09-02-2006 11:03PM

Celibacy isn't Hereditary ! If the Church allowed priest to marry and also allowed Women priests then it would more acceptable. But when the Church elects a right-wing Neo-Con with old Ratzi the nazi as pope. The real question is which company will tender for all that prime church property that will be sold in the years to come.

DublinWriter · 09-02-2006 11:10PM

MarinoMark wrote:

Just an observsation..Could be right...could be wrong... Went to mass on sunday for the first time in yonks...Massive Church...Iona Rd...The place was empty, could hold several hundred..about 50 there, all elderly..what happens when these people pass on....Empty church, worth a fortune. I also live close to Clonliffe Collage where priests are trained, Place is also massive..Training is 7 yrs. Only 13 priests there...Training over 7yrs. 13 Total. No recruits last year,1 the previous year,2 the year before...Best turn Muslim !! Comments Welcome.

I'm just reading the Biography of McQuaid, the Archbishop of Ireland who successfully made the Dev government ban the import of Tampax into Ireland in the late 1940's.

Based on where we came from, it would be tempting to say that the Catholic Church is with O'Leary in the grave, but in real terms, it isn't.

About 95% of Irish state Primary and Secondary schools are controlled by the Catholic Church.

As the Jesuits say, show me the boy and I'll give you the man. They weren't kidding either!

What's really needed is a Vatican III and for the Catholic Church to allow priests to marry (as they did for the first 1,500 years of their history).

Liam Lough · 09-02-2006 11:19PM

The church is still very strong in rural Ireland. The church was for too long a facility for devients to practice their evil. There are many fine young priests all over Ireland - certainly in our town - carrying on the fine traditions of the Catholic Church. Don't jump on the bandwagon because of gob****es like Casey and Cleary and evil men like Father Smyth and Fortune.Our church is packed every Sunday morning with all types and ages.

Who do you turn to during a family bereavement or tragedy - people have short memories. The church in Ireland will always be strong, certainly when the next generation arrive to take over from the present selfish generation who have it all and cannot even form long term relationships in case it might impose on their fun.

The present generation are childish and me-feiners. Ireland will be a long time picking up the pieces from this sad lot of selfish non-entities. The last generation who had nothing of consequence materially were loyal and full of nature and sinserity - qualities our present generation no nothing about.

nlgbbbblth · 10-02-2006 12:04AM

smashey wrote:

Who's sin was greater? A couple living together outside marriage or a Bishop fathering a child and keeping it quiet for years while using diocese funds to support him.?

A couple living together outside marriage

EOA_Mushy · 10-02-2006 12:23AM

senordingdong wrote:

Religion has no place in the first world.

Not entirly true... Does not have to be as strict or shown to be. Does cause a lot of problems though. Common thought in all religions tend to be general good choices (e.g. dont kill people)

As for the catholic church, let them **ck and it would completly change their thinking/let them focus on another topic... simple

jimmycrackcorm · 10-02-2006 12:50AM

An awful lot of Americans disagree with you.

I'm not religious at all....not been to church cept for funerals since I made my confirmation...sunday mass to me when I was young was always a fashion parade where you showed your face in your sunday clothes...the vast majority of people there were hypocrites.

I occasionally go and actually like it- I also have a kid so I want him to have some sort of good life framework which is what catholicism. It has its negative points but hey - nothing is perfect.

Religion should have a place in family life, but catholicism has it all wrong (and getting more wrong by the decade)...people don't want to be preached to and warned by some guy in a cassock who apparently's never had sex, doesn't have kids and so on.

An analogy is that there shoudlbe no male gynaecologists as they don't have wombs and never gave birth.

Out of curiousity when I lived the 'States, I went along to a sunday service with some american friends...it was altogether a different experience...more of a scoial gathering, a lot more relaxed than I ever recalled mass back home being...okay so there was some evangelical aspects I didn't really have too much time for, but it wasn't being forced down people's throats either

.

That's entertainment.

Catholicism ruled Ireland for many many years...I think our generation feels betrayed by it when we hear of sex scandals and abuse claims that happened way back when...a sad reality. Only elderly people still go, for no other reason that I can see than that it's a habit they've always had (that's not to dismiss their faith, assuming they have any).

yes too much of a mysticism and a rebellion since. If only we were clever enough to accept that priests and bishops are human.

One last ting that annoys me though about the lack of attendance at mass, is that the same people who don't go are probably the ones dreaming of €30 grand weddings and who take their children to be baptised right before they head for the pub to wet the baby's head....that all goes back to the hypocrisy I mentioned in my first paragraph...

That's simply a social thing - no one nowadays is taking the all or nothing approach to religion. You might as well aruge that mass goers should really take note of their sins as they occur on their PDA and download them to the priest in the confession.

Kernel · 10-02-2006 12:58AM

Mossy Monk wrote:

perhaps if they got with the times people may gain interest

Yes, we should change the Word of God to suit our decadent times. Maybe get Peter Stringfellow to lend a few strippers for handing out the Communion and serve fat frogs instead of wine.

On a serious note, the fast growing popularity of very conservative Catholic groups, like Opus Dei, among the young people shows that 'getting with the times' isn't necessarily the way to go. Anybody who is serious about theology doesn't necessarily want to see a Church flip-flopping their core beliefs just to get a few arses on pews.

Anyway, OP, there are younger people still in the CC. depends what time you go to Mass at on Sunday. Earlier shows usually get more of a turnout. Also, since Pope John Paul II died, the Catholic Church is enjoying a bit of a renaissance (vocations are up, and so is attendance).

Kernel · 10-02-2006 01:04AM

Simi wrote:

And the catholic church continues to do irreperable challenge in the third world by preaching abstinance instead of safe sex.

I think abstainance is a good lesson for the third world. Particularly if you would not have the means to feed any children you may have, and of course there's the rampant spread of the AIDS virus due to promiscuous sex.

Vince135792003 · 10-02-2006 01:07AM

Its certainly gone from its position of almost untouchable power of 20/30/40 years ago. It'll never get it back and it should n't either.

But just from my personal experience, people who I would know that have a strong faith in any religion seem to be the most trusting, genuine and at peace with themselves bunch of people that I come accross than those who have no faith.
Religion at that very personal level I think is a postive thing.

Sleepy · 10-02-2006 01:08AM

The weak will always need their crutches so I don't see the church ever dying out in Ireland tbh.

Kernel · 10-02-2006 01:09AM

Sleepy wrote:

The weak will always need their crutches so I don't see the church ever dying out in Ireland tbh.

Grow up, there's nothing weak about having a belief in something. :rolleyes:

Vince135792003 · 10-02-2006 01:14AM

I just saw a brief clip of a guy discussing his beliefs in an environment that was quite difficult and it was both powerful and moving.

Kablamo! · 10-02-2006 01:16AM

i do not follow the bible word for word, although i do claim to be a practising roman catholic.

i love religion. its a comfort blanket of sorts.

mass gives me a great sense of peace.

in my opinion, religion is great!

tintinr35 · 10-02-2006 04:38AM

Kernel wrote:

I think abstainance is a good lesson for the third world. Particularly if you would not have the means to feed any children you may have, and of course there's the rampant spread of the AIDS virus due to promiscuous sex.

ya because u are really going to stop people having sex.....its human nature. the church needs to promote safe sex not no sex
__________________

TheBigLebowski · 10-02-2006 05:02AM

I just can't get my head around how people believe in any of that religion crap.

Jimi-Spandex · 10-02-2006 05:59AM

Simi wrote:

And the catholic church continues to do irreperable challenge in the third world by preaching abstinance instead of safe sex.

Yes, because abstinance exacerbates the spread of HIV. :rolleyes:

I'm not picking on you in particular, I've seen alot of people make this ridiculous assertion, but it's one of the most idiotic criticisms of the catholic church I've ever read. Of all the many things they have done wrong in their history that you could easily pick apart, this is not one of them.

Our man in Havana · 10-02-2006 08:00AM

As Karl Marx once said "Religion is the opiate of the people".

I tend to agree with him.

Sleepy · 10-02-2006 10:56AM

Kernel wrote:

Grow up, there's nothing weak about having a belief in something. :rolleyes:

Well, the only other explanation for ignoring common sense, reason and logic is stupidity so have it as you like: are you stupid? or weak?

Hobbes · 10-02-2006 11:10AM

Sleepy wrote:

Well, the only other explanation for ignoring common sense, reason and logic is stupidity so have it as you like: are you stupid? or weak?

Is that what you believe?