David W Higgins: Ireland might not care for Catholic social teaching any more, but Pope Francis showed how far it can move the dial

Catholic social teaching isn’t something you hear about much in Ireland these days. Tainted by the abuse scandals and waning church influence, it’s become a byword for a rigid sexual outlook and restricted personal freedom. Ireland’s clear majority votes for gay marriage and abortion felt like the settling of a debate on whether the Vatican is worth listening to.

We have our own social teaching now..