Gathering comes at a critical time in development of Irish society

Pope Francis is sending the next World Meeting of Families to Dublin in 2018. It is the largest Catholic gathering of families globally and, it meets every three years. The Pope may come too. It will be a great coming-together of Catholic families and potentially a culture clash., writes Gerard Howlin. 

At the very least it will be an intense conversation on the meaning of family, of church and of Irish identity.

The Oireachtas will pass the Marriage Bill 2015 into law within weeks. Enacted, it will give effect to the equal marriage referendum. Ireland led the world, becoming the first country to enable same-sex marriage by amending its constitution by popular vote. In the process Irish identity was partially reimagined.