85 per cent think we will value family more after this, 75 per cent say we will value the elderly more, and 31 per cent think society will become more spiritual – Brendan Conroy of The Iona Institute.

My thoughts turn to families in our own diocese who have welcomed the birth of a child during this past year and to those who are expecting a baby in the near future – Bishop Kevin Doran.

Fr Hugh Kavanagh was speaking after Archbishop of Dublin said that where it can be ascertained that individuals hold direct responsibility in “this traffic in evil” they will “no longer be allowed to exploit religious services in the Archdiocese of Dublin to enhance their image”.

“Sunday mornings we have bigger congregations than we have been seeing for a considerable time. Our webcam is reaching people far from Longford.”

The Irish priests became known locally as Los Padrecitos - the Little Fathers - as they helped turn a desert slum into a thriving urban centre.