We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland

by Fintan O'Toole

The church had always covered things up because to expose them would be to commit the sin of ‘giving scandal’. Scandal was not the appalling behaviour of churchmen. Rather, the revelation of that behaviour was much worse because it damaged the faith of the flock and therefore endangered their immortal souls.

the most shocking realization of all: the recognition by most of the faithful that they were in fact much holier than their preachers, that they had a clearer sense of right and wrong, a more honest and intimate sense of love and compassion and decency.