They call it the Summer of Sorrow.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - Even though technically they’re in two different countries, Ireland������Ƶapp two biggest cities, Dublin and Belfast, are a two-hour drive apart with no border checkpoint.

KNOCK, Ireland - Two American cardinals of Irish descent praised the role of immigrants -- especially Irish -- in building the United States.

The immediate repercussions from the Irish referendum where voters overwhelmingly supported same-sex marriage were obvious, but the long-term impact on the Church may come beginning this October.

Of all the rhetoric that followed Ireland������Ƶapp referendum that legalized same-sex marriage, none was more absurd than the Toronto Star declaring the vote revealed “21st-century Ireland as a model of inclusivity and tolerance.” Nonsense.

Irish journalist John Waters might be forgiven for skipping the cheering and Guinness-drinking in Dublin after the country������Ƶapp referendum legalizing gay marriage.

DUBLIN - Catholic bishops have not made any decision on whether priests should decline to perform civil aspects of weddings if a May 22 referendum on same-sex marriage is passed.

NEW YORK - St. Patrick������Ƶapp Day is associated as much with Roman Catholicism as it is with Irish-Americans, but this year some of the faithful aren’t happy with the inclusion of gays and lesbians marching under their own banner for the first time in parades in Boston and New York.

TORONTO - A century ago, the faces of Irish immigrants dominated the congregation at St. Ann������Ƶapp parish.

DUBLIN - The independent watchdog that monitors child safeguarding procedures in the Irish Church pledged to follow the example of Pope Francis and "disturb the peace."