Church-going is a tedious business — and it is also hard on the knees

WHY is the Irish Catholic Church so determined to make church-going such an uncomfortable experience.

I had time to dwell on this question on the couple of occasions over the last few weeks when, for seasonal ceremonies and weddings, I attended a number of masses.

The 45 minutes or so which the church expects us to spend at mass must be among the most tedious and physically challenging many of us now spend outside of work hours. Why is it that what is supposed to be a weekly celebration of religion and community must take place so often in large, cold buildings where we are required to sit on uncushioned benches and kneel for sustained periods on bare wood?