Decline of religion

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Atheists have taken over the social activities of the church in Ireland. A smart move ... rather than attempt to dismantle the church they've taken control of it. Atheist women now run things. This is very noticeable in small towns. Maybe Sinead O'Conner's outburst had something to do with it?

Not atheists, but Christians who are not clergy. But look at it this way: the Church could have perhaps had priests if they let women ordain into priesthood, but no. The Catholic Church would rather have laypeople ordain mass and other rites than let women be priests.

Besides, to me this seems like a step forward: why wouldn't laypeople do the rites like funerals and baptisms, or, in other words, why would Christians need people who are better (holier) than the rest, and just do the stuff they need themselves in the family?

For as long as I can remember, the laity have ALWAYS run the social functions of Irish churches. 

Boru