On 21 July, the BBC broadcast part of an interview that the Archbishop of Dublin gave on Irish radio in the aftermath of the Cloyne report on the cover-up of the sex abuse of children. The Archbishop asked himself a rhetorical question: “Am I proud of the Church of which I’m the head?”

The Archbishop obviously had his doubts.  Sometimes I ask myself why anyone would feel the need to belong to such a scandal-ridden Church.

The notion that religion or belief in God makes people happy is one of the myths promulgated by Pope Benedict. The reverse is actually the case. Those who believe in God are always pining for their ever-elusive God, and the populace is always hankering for more saints and more miracles − and subito too! Instead of giving Catholics peace of mind, their religion makes them obsessed with sin, guilt-ridden, and fearful of hell. God knows how many Catholics feel unhappy and depressed despite their belief in God, and how many priests suffer nervous breakdowns in secret!

It’s not generally known among Catholics that Francis of Assisi suffered from depression. And most Catholics find it convenient to ignore the despair and religious doubts that Mother Teresa confided in her letters to her spiritual directors.

The notion that religion makes people happy is just not true!

John Guillaumier

ST JULIAN’S