"I'm proud to be a Catholic"
Training officer Patricia McKenna (28), from Meath attends Mass regularly and volunteers at Lourdes. She predicts a new generation of clerics and church-goers will rejuvenate the faith.
"I've no problem telling people I'm a Catholic. Growing up, we've always gone to Mass on Sunday. Throughout different things that happen in your life, your faith might waver -- but I've always gone back to my beliefs.
"Like everyone else, I was disgusted by the abuse scandals that broke and people have a right to feel angry. But sometimes we forget about all the good work the Church has done -- take the Society of St Vincent de Paul, for instance. So many Irish people have given their life to charitable work around the world. Some of my friends are studying for the priesthood at Maynooth -- and they're a thousand miles away from all of the bad stuff now associated with the Church.
"Thousands of young Irish people are doing good work that you never hear about. I go to Mass almost every week, volunteer at Lourdes each year and plan to attend World Youth Day in Madrid next year.
"I'm not a bible basher or anti-other religions; I'm just a normal person trying to live by Christian teachings like 'Love your neighbour'. Some people like to read -- I like to do religion."
Irish Independent
