Off Message

The fact that some parents dithered over whether to take their children to their First Holy Communions or to a One Direction gig, is an example of the challenges the Catholic Church faces in Ireland today, writes Catherine O'Mahony.

The Church hopes for a return to simpler, more authentic First Holy Communions. Photo: Getty

I feel a bit sorry for the Catholic Church on the question of First Holy Communion. It is currently digesting the message that at least some people reckon it should have considered One Direction's tour dates before settling on First Holy Communion plans for 2014. This made national news after a group of parents whose children attend a school in Limerick made an unironic request for a date change to accommodate the concert ...