1939 Irish National Team, paying respect to the visiting German team
EDIT: corrected
Note that they did not help the Nazis during the war. And they did not help the Brits.
Catholicism is on a downturn in Ireland.
Link: https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/ireland/introduction
AI Overview
Catholicism is declining in Ireland due to a combination of devastating institutional abuse scandals, rapid social modernization, and a broader global shift toward secularization.
Weekly Mass attendance in Ireland has plummeted from over 90% in the 1970s to under 30%, and census data shows those identifying as Roman Catholic dropped from 93% in 1926 to 69% by 2022.
Key Causes of the Decline
• Clerical Abuse and Institutional Scandals: Widespread revelations of child sexual abuse by priests and horrific conditions in church-run institutions—such as Magdalene Laundries, mother-and-baby homes, and industrial schools—permanently shattered public trust and the moral authority of the hierarchy.
• Social Modernization and Legal Reforms: Economic growth, European Union integration, and changing social values led Ireland to vote heavily in favor of secular reforms, including legalizing contraception and divorce, alongside landmark referendums legalizing same-sex marriage (2015) and repealing the abortion ban (2018).
• Secularization and Cultural Shifts: Urbanization and higher levels of education weakened the traditional cultural grip of the parish. Younger generations increasingly look to secular organizations, NGOs, and community groups rather than the church for social connection and support.
• Aging Clergy and Vocations Crisis: A sharp drop in new priests and aging leadership has left many parishes short-staffed, weakening the day-to-day presence and infrastructure of the church in local communities.
Before that they called us The Ramblers
After 1924 we were called The Fighting Irish.
Not the Fighting American Catholics.
As for Ireland, the national team politics are more secular. Can’t blame that crap on Catholics.
AI Overview
Yes, the Irish national football team performed a Nazi salute before an international match against Germany in Bremen in May 1939.
Why Did They Give the Salute?
• Diplomatic Protocol: Officials from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Irish diplomatic services explicitly instructed the players to perform the gesture as a goodwill gesture and sign of respect to their hosts during the playing of the German national anthem.
• Avoiding International Incidents: Complying with the formal state customs of a host country was considered standard international diplomatic practice in the 1930s before the outbreak of World War II.
• Not an Isolated Practice: Other nations complied with similar directives; notably, the English national football team was ordered by the British Foreign Office to perform the Nazi salute during a match in Berlin in May 1938.
• No Ideological Alignment: The gesture was done strictly out of adherence to formal protocol rather than any political or fascist sympathy from the players or team management
It's programmed to label anyone who disagrees with the Progrssive agenda in any way as MAGA.
