Photo: iStock. I was at Mass recently and the Gospel reading was from St John—the passage where Christ says: “Take courage; I have conquered the world.”
As is the norm, the priest gave a homily afterwards, explaining how the Gospel can be applied “in real life”. He explained that none of us escapes life’s challenges or trials. But we can act with confidence, knowing Christ, the Truth, has already gone before us.
Since Christ has conquered the world, we are never stepping into uncharted territory.
Faith conquers doubt. Courage conquers fear.
At least, that’s what I took from it anyway.
Not long after that, I found myself on a visit to Leinster House. And if ever there was a place that might make me wonder whether I had completely misunderstood what was said at Mass—and perhaps even the foundations of Christianity itself—Leinster House might be it! Progress Pride flags adorned the complex, the graven images of our age, signalling allegiance to this ideological idol.
Concerned
I was there with the Child Safeguarding Coalition, established by The Natural Women’s Council and bringing together parents and professionals concerned for children’s welfare. We addressed TDs and Senators about the ideological capture of education, particularly the imposition of gender and trans ideology across the education system. We called for an independent audit of what is being taught in schools, the complete withdrawal of Bí Cineálta/Cineáltas, an end to NGO influence over the curriculum, and parents’ constitutional rights as the primary educators of their children to be upheld.
After the event, I got talking on the steps outside Leinster House to a public representative who, as it turned out, is well aware of the ideological capture of our schools. I’ve thought a lot about that encounter since because I came away caught between sympathy for the individual and frustration that the position expressed—shared, consciously or unconsciously, by so many—is one of the main reasons gender identity ideology continues to flourish in our schools and across wider society.
You can’t go in there and say the things you’re saying. You just can’t”
Some things were said almost in a whisper, as though simply discussing them carried a risk. Saying that gender ideology should be nowhere near children has become a view many are afraid to express.
“You can’t go in there and say the things you’re saying. You just can’t,” I was told.
Even innocent, humorous remarks lead to reprimands.
I asked whether anyone in Leinster House actually believes the claims of gender ideology. I was told, as I expected, that most know it is false and that targeting children with it is wrong. This person certainly did.
I was told that, within Leinster House, it was entirely predictable—even expected—that political representatives would not engage on this issue. That silence is now part of the culture, and everyone has to comply.
That is how this ideology survives. Most know what is happening. Most know it is wrong. Fear keeps them in line.
This silence is not confined to politics. It is everywhere children are involved—education, healthcare, social services, sport, even toilets and changing rooms. In each, a relatively small number enforce the ideology while a much larger number remain silent despite knowing what is happening. Children are then left exposed rather than protected.
Nobody can be seen to contradict it. We saw this in April 2025 when David Cullinane described the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that the legal definition of “woman” is based on biological sex as “common sense”. Within days he had deleted the post, apologised and returned to the party line.
More recently, after Norma Foley denied knowing about sexually explicit material in a number of children’s books, Cullinane and several colleagues denied any knowledge of it too. There was no chance he was going to stray from the approved narrative again.
Better to look gormless than to say what everyone knows and what everyone knows you know.
He has been schooled.
Knowledge isn’t the problem.
Fear is.
My heart goes out to anyone who works in an environment where speaking an obvious truth comes at a personal cost. But sympathy does not change reality. Fear and silence have consequences.
This ideology has gained extraordinary influence not because most people believe it, but because too many who know better remain silent. That silence shields it from scrutiny, enables its enforcement across public institutions, leaves those most vulnerable to its harms exposed and blocks anyone who refuses to go along with it.
Enforcers
The silent have become the ideology’s unwitting enforcers.
There is another group: its willing enforcers. These may not have created the ideology, but they actively promote and police it. They see themselves as having the authority to decide what everyone else is allowed to say, think or believe. It’s like a giant game of Simon Says.
Offensive posters and flags are displayed, all in the name of kindness and inclusivity. Sex-based spaces are sacrificed and girls’ sports are no longer just for girls because adults are afraid to state simple biological truths. None of this happens because the majority believes it is right. It happens because the majority remains silent.
These willing enforcers depend on that silence. The moment enough people find the courage to speak, it’s game over. Those who rely on fear and silence will suddenly find they have nothing left to stand on.
Which brings me back to:
“Take courage; I have conquered the world.”
The priest’s point that day was that faith gives us the courage to act when fear tells us not to.
Christ has already conquered the world. Truth is not what is missing in Leinster House or our society.
Courage is.
Dr Niamh Regan has a PhD and PGDE from NUIG. She has experience in teaching, lecturing and educational development, and maintains a strong interest in the sector as a parent.