The repeal of the Irish constitution’s eighth amendment just over a week ago has, probably more than any other institution or body on the island of Ireland, left the Catholic church bemused and feeling unheard. Catholic Ireland, for the first time in history, rejected the direction of the church en masse on Friday 25th May 2018.

In this context, I was asked the question by BBC Radio Ulster presenter Audrey Carville on Sunday Sequence during the weekend, has the Church lost its relevance in speaking to moral issues in today’s society. The obvious black and white answer is yes, however, the reason behind it is much more shaded with grey.

No one would have been surprised at churches coming out in favour of retaining the eight amendment; their upset at the outcome is far from a ‘knock me over with a feather’ type moment. The reaction by a Belfast priest however, who in a Belfast Telegraph article told followers ‘you cannot be Catholic and be in favour of abortion’, rather than ‘if you support abortion, you are not adhering to the teachings of the Catholic Church’, for me is telling.

It is not the theology of the incompatibility of abortion and Christian teaching that I take issue with, far from it, rather the delivery of the message. This continued pontifical style will do nothing to repair the damaged relationship between the church and society today.

The narrative that cut through this referendum, unlike a typical political election, was one of voting with others at the front of your psyche, whether voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ I think it is important to harness that conversation within not without, in a manner that does not surrender truth.

It would be wrong in an article like this not to give credence to the social movements within churches, that step into the gaps often missed by agencies and government departments (Christians Against Poverty, Storehouse NI and St. Patrick’s soup kitchen, just to name a few in Belfast), whose selfless giving of time and resources has changed the lives of ordinary people struggling to navigate their way through this often very difficult life.

As someone who has struggled with this topic for a long time, who holds a view seemingly out of step with Irish public opinion, I don’t feel comfortable being part of any church which believes it has a monopoly in society. I want to be part of a church that understands that it has a stake in society, and that the size of that stake will be determined by actions, and whose invitation extends to all.

The church’s message must remain that church is still a place for us all, forever, and always. I’d rather sit in a pew, convicted, conflicted, confused and a bit miffed, than be on the outside, disengaged, and indifferent.