Beginning in the mid-1990s, the church in Ireland was rocked by a series of very public revelations about sexual abuse and, particularly, about how the abuse and allegations of it were mishandled by senior church leaders.

A diversity of views on abortion made for an actual debate among those who have power in Argentina.

Pope Francis will visit Dublin and Knock Aug. 25-26, mainly for the World Meeting of Families. But he also will meet Irish government leaders and is expected to meet with survivors of abuse.

“People decided, ‘I just don’t like the Eighth; it’s just too strict even if I have nervousness about the laws that might replace it.’

The state has taken an increasing interest in regulating religious education and faith formation in schools.

Writer William Trevor never shied away from something like the Gothic, the nearly horrific side of everything from romantic passion to parenthood.