Pope Francis Visits Ireland Amid Lukewarm Welcome

Pope Francis (in middle) meets with President Michael Higgins of Ireland (on his right) and his wife (on his left)

Photo courtesy: Public Radio International

Pope Francis offers solemn Mass at the World Meeting of Families in Phoenix Park of Dublin

 Photo courtesy: PA Wire via www.independent.ie/

Savia (a group of survivors and victims of institutional abuse during their childhood days) lays out black-ribboned children's shoes as part of a protest near Dublin Castle

 Photo courtesy: Reuters via BBC

After much speculation and protesting attitude among the Irish Catholics, Pope Francis arrived in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, on a two-day visit on Saturday, August 25, mid-morning. He then paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, at the Presidential Residence, near where he was given an official welcome. 

In the afternoon, he met with and spoke to government authorities, civil society members, and foreign diplomatic corps in the Dublin Castle. In mid-afternoon, he visited St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral and greeted the persons present. He then visited the Day Centre of the Capuchin Fathers and met with some homeless families. Later he gave a speech at the Festival of Families in Croke Park Stadium where more than 82,000 people were present. 

In the next day morning, he flew to Knock and visited Our Lady of Knock Shrine and recited the Angelus prayer. After returning to Dublin, he gives a homily in the solemn Mass held in mid-afternoon at the Phoenix Park. Then he met with all Catholic bishops of Ireland in the Dominican Sisters' convent. At 6:45 p.m. he left Dublin for Rome. 

Ireland: A "Most Catholic Country" Sees A Sea-Change in Its Religious Affiliation

Ireland was once called "the most Catholic country" in the world, where the state wholeheartedly supported most of the Church teachings and the Catholic Church strictly controlled lives of Catholics from their birth to death. Now it has become a country where many Catholics feel ashamed to call themselves "Catholic," due to clergy sexual abuses, institutional sexual and physical abuses, and different types of Church-supported women's abuses on a massive scale. 

In the 1861 census report, it is found that 89.36% of the population of Ireland called themselves Roman Catholics. Whereas, in the 2016 survey, this number came down to 85.14%. 

In 1972-1973, Ireland's 91% Catholics attended weekly Masses in the church, whereas, in 2011 -- after 38 years -- only 30% attended Masses. In 2010, Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference survey found that 10.1% of the Irish Catholics saying that they did not believe in God. 

-- (See: Religion in the Republic of Ireland)

(Updated on August 28, 2018)

(To be continued)