Eamonn Clark, STL

So, for reasons I’m not quite yet ready to share on these pages, (though maybe my more perceptive readers can piece things together,) I’ve moved to Ireland for the summer. I’m staying down in the southern countryside for about 3 months. I arrived a week ago.

In this series, I’ll be breaking down my understanding of the situation of the Church in Ireland on these pages every Monday. This week I’ve just been settling in, so I’m passing the first serious post to next week. I’ll share details about events I attend, people I meet, and places I go, all with due discretion. I will not reveal where I am staying until after I’ve left.

Yes, there will be loads of pictures. And cool stories.

Ireland’s situation is very, very unique in the global Church. The overall thesis that I would offer is one I’ve been giving to people already – Ireland is doing better than it sounds, but it is doing worse than it looks. I look forward to unpacking that in the weeks and months to come.

St. Patrick, pray for us.

Image: Alberto Loyo/Getty Images