Derek Scally, The Best Catholics in the World: The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship

Abstract

Derek Scally introduces us to Sr Deirdre Tymon on page two of his 336-page reflective journey. He is investigating the Irish people, the Catholic Church, the Irish State and the unrequited love for the Vatican. On the topic of this book, the politics of Church State dysfunction and the legacy of a rule-based morality devoid of empathy or emotional intelligence, Sr Deirdre puts it succinctly: "There's a real anger" (p. 2). Even her former neighbours in Co Roscommon "who used to be very pious are now 'giving out yards' about the Church… the abuse, the cover ups, the state collusion, the apologies, the pain, the wasted lives, the broken families" (p. 2).