Originally Posted by
carlos marvado
Actually the form of diocesan catholicism that superceded the monastic form of Christianity that was originally established in Ireland, was enforced on the people firstly as a result of the Synod of Kells and then finally by the Anglo-Norman invasion. The pope of the time sanctioned the Anglo-Norman invasion in order to bring the Irish church fully under the authority of Rome:
"The invasion was supposedly legitimised by the provisions of the Papal Bull Laudabiliter, issued by Adrian IV in 1155. The bull encouraged Henry to take control in Ireland in order to oversee the financial and administrative reorganisation of the Irish Church and its integration into the Roman Church system.[33] Some restructuring had already begun at the ecclesiastical level following the Synod of Kells in 1152.[34] There has been significant controversy regarding authenticity of Laudabiliter,[35] and there is no general agreement as to whether the bull was genuine or a forgery.[36][37]
In 1172, the new pope, Alexander III, further encouraged Henry to advance the integration of the Irish Church with Rome. Henry was authorised to impose a tithe of one penny per hearth as an annual contribution. This church levy, called Peter's Pence, is still extant in Ireland as a voluntary donation." (from Ireland/History in Wikipedia)
But for those who wish to go even further back, our roots, as those of every other people, are pagan.