On the streets of Killarney, Co Kerry, yesterday, fewer than one-third of people who expressed strong opinions about Bishop Bill Murphy's controversial remarks were willing to be named in The Irish Times.
However, the majority of those interviewed broadly supported Bishop Murphy's views.
Of those against, a businessman says the bishop's remarks signal "a return to the Dark Ages" and that people on the periphery will be alienated, while a Killarney woman says while she agrees with Bishop Murphy's sentiments they will give carte blanche to even more people to seek register office weddings.
Pauline Kerins, in her 40s, calls the bishop's statements "a disgrace. He is saying we can't make up our own minds." Her husband, Tom Kerins, a regular Mass-goer, says people should not be stopped from seeking the sacraments for their children, even if they do not attend Mass.
Lynda Brinkmann, in her 20s, from Australia but working in Killarney, says: "I would like to think Jesus would welcome anyone in the church at any time for any reason. I believe the church should reflect this."
In support of Bishop Murphy, Margaret Moriarty, in her 40s, says: "He is entitled to say what he wants. It's his house." Her gut reaction is to agree with his sentiments. People are "comme ci, comme ça" about the church and then expect to take part in big occasions.
Kathleen Clifford, mother of three grown-up children, says Bishop Murphy "has a point. Even holy communion is all hyped up," she says. The emphasis is on the expensive dresses. However, she adds, since the Bishop Casey affair a lot of people in Kerry have been turned off the church.
Bridie Doyle, a retired nurse, says: "If you are a Catholic, you are a Catholic." She thinks it is "a shame" for parents to bring children into the world if they do not hand on the faith to them and she blames parents for their children's apathy towards the church. It is wrong to expect to be allowed to participate in occasions such as first communion and church weddings. "You wouldn't see a drop of holy water in houses now," she says.
Pat O'Sullivan says Bishop Murphy "didn't say it in time. People are gone out of their minds. It's all competition and spending what they haven't got." Women in particular, he says, are concerned only with what they will wear and they want to make sure they have a rig-out no-one else has.
Tony Kenny, in his 20s, agrees with the bishop. "Bishop Murphy is right. There has to be more dignity. He is telling it as it is. He's called a spade a spade. There has to be a return to basics - bring back the reality, yet the mystery of it," he says.