To reply more directly to Mr. Tevington: I'm 7/8 Irish and blessed with the name of a legendary saint. The Catholic faith is compatible with sober inquiry regarding any particular saint's life (or existence, for that matter).

Regarding abortion and marriage, I am afraid the quasi-theocracy that ruled Ireland in the middle of the 20th century bred a lot of resentful "nones" who are eager to stick it to the Church, no matter what the issue.