I am not familiar with Ireland, but from what I know this is true in parts of the US as well. The problem is that people tend to equate “sins of the Church” with sins of priests and bishops. Where I live, Catholic laity who grew up in the prosperous post WWII years became very materialistic. New houses, fancy cars, expensive vacations and luxuries meant every family “needed” 2 full time incomes, fewer children, and every Catholic wanted to be just like the people in the media. That generation accepted contraception, divorce/remarriage, but still mostly went to church.
The next generation mostly doesn’t go to church at all. They went beyond accepting contraception to abortion. They are often either not getting married at all, or maybe before some “wedding official” at a picnic grove.
The percentage of Catholic lay adults who are getting divorced or “living together”, and likely getting abortions, is much higher than the percentage of priests who show spiritual problems. But no one preaches about the Scandal of the Laity.
In my US diocese there are endless calls to repentance - which sounds nice - except we are all called to repent the sins of other people. Thus, very short lines for Confession, where we confess our own sins.
