How 'The Most Catholic Country in the World' Left the Church but is Rediscovering Faith

DUBLIN – If there were a symbol of what happened to faith in Ireland, it might be The Church of the Annunciation just outside of Dublin. It used to be one of the largest church buildings in all of Ireland, but it was demolished because so few people attended services.

Ireland was once called "the most Catholic country in the world." But it has gone from one of the world's most outwardly religious nations to what some claim is one of the most secular.

Anyone in Ireland over age 50 can remember a nation where almost everyone went to church, but today live in a nation where in some areas, almost no one goes to church.

Read the full story from CBN's Dale Hurd:

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[xamurai]

I was broughtup as a catholic and dragged to church every single sunday and holy novena as a child in the 80's and early 90's here in Ireland by my parents. I did not enjoy a second of it and once I left home I completely abandoned God. Since the pandemic my faith has risen exponentially to a point I refuse to miss mass for any reason and I have been forgiven all of my sins and i walk with Our lord and strive not to sin again! And I thank my parents every time I see them for bringing me up in the faith whereby My own relationship with my Father has been healed exponentially through our faith in Christ.

[pats]

Our ancestors literally fought and died to hold onto our Catholicism for hundreds of years despite so many attempts to outlaw it and take it from us. It’s an insult to them that we abandon it.

[thelonenoob]

The Christian Brothers from Ireland and the catholic faith has so much relevance in my life and helped me be successful today. I learnt a lot of my morals and understanding from them.Without Catholicism, you'll be just another country with loose morals and there won't be turning back . All the best Ireland, love from India .

[warrenpaine]

I'm 61 years old and have been hearing about the imminent "demise of the Catholic Church" all my life. Somehow the Church manages to survive and prevail come hell or highwater.

[mritchie]

Same issues in Scotland, pray for us all please.

[AL-wntt]

I'm a RC in my 50s, very few people I know go to Mass. But the Filipinos and Indians go. The African priests are remarkable. The Irish priests are a embracing modern ideology and are silent.

[Scary_Sary]

Sadly, a lot of these churches closed during lockdown in Ireland. My husband and I had to leave to travel north to find one that stayed open. A few faithful churches kept meeting down south. I believe that is truly the litmus test for a faithful church. Find one that preaches the Gospel at all costs!

[ውህደት]

I am an orthodox christian but I support all churches of God that preach Jesus when i see europe has fallen to the devil and our youth become more and more lgbt.God bless you pastor's who do this.

[stefanoprivetto]

I am a English Catholic our churches on Sunday's are packed to almost overflowing and on Saturday's Lots of young and families it's so wonderful to see. I am also second generation Irish, and now it's the eastern Europeans turn. Now we need more Priests 🙏❤

[presh]

Praying for the Irish❤🙏
Let the faith rise again in your country, wish the best from Hungary.

[blessedwoman]

Nothing is over and nothing is defeated unless God says it is! God is alive and has Wondrous plans for Ireland! I cannot wait to see all that God does in Ireland!

[edmundoserrano]

I pray for Ireland. Do something and let the Christian faith flourish back. It's never too late. All the best from the Philippines.

[Silver---]

I am disgusted and ashamed of my country for legalizing those abominations. Please God save Ireland. ❤👑♰🕊

[neilanadams]

That new church is not a church. It's a hall with a concert.

[amapola]

Praying for the salvation of the Irish people

[ksc]

Let the real and saved Christian faithfuls in Ireland hold fast to what they have with them.

[vincemercieca]

The island of Malta is in a similar situation. 95% of the people declared that they are Roman Catholics but only about 35% declared that they attend church.

[angelusa]

My husband and his entire family are Irish American and they are deeply Catholic and very good loving and caring people. I believe that Irland will find Jesus again and will reconnect with the values that we humand cannot live without because WE ALL need Jesus in our lives!!!! We need Him to come back and bring us ack to the bible and HIS word to show us the right way that we lost focusing too muc on worldly things that don't matter like material ones. Angela Italy

[jerrytang]

I am from the Philippines, and I grew up attending masses said by Irish priests- Fr. O'Connor, Fr. O'Herlihey, Fr. McKeena, Fr. Kelly, etc. Irishmen all.
I'm saddened that the Irishmen have turned away from God.

[nascentebio]

my corner in Switzerland received the Gospel from Irish monks.