Ubiquitous throughout 'The Tin Flute' and 'Angela's Ashes' the Catholic Church stands as the cornerstone of morality and the social order alike. There is no doubt that the church is a central figure for both the individual and society in general and in some aspects it plays more of a governing role than a religious one. In 'Angela's Ashes' the church has a more direct effect on Frank McCourt's life. From his education to his health to his sense of self-worth, Frank cannot escape the church. In 'The Tin Flute' the church has more of a subtle demeanour, but is still ever present. It may be spoken of less and appear less rash on the surface, but nonetheless it has instilled a set of unspoken principles within its people. In both 'The Tin Flute' and 'Angela's Ashes' the Catholic Church has both a positive and negative effect on Frank McCourt, Florentine Lacasse and the societies they live in, and remains a paradox in that it provides its people with charity and morality yet controls them through fear and humiliation.
             Florentine Lacasse thinks quite highly of the church. She says she feels happy while in mass and seems to recapture an essence of her childhood when she attends. Her mother is also fairly religious, and though she does not go to mass regularly because she is ashamed of her poverty, she does pray to God. During a period of introspection and inner turmoil she wanders into a church and begins talking to the Lord, after which she says she feels "relieved." Most devout to the church is Florentine's younger sister Yvonne. Described by her Mother as having "sickly piety" Yvonne often preaches Catholic teachings to her family and fantasizes about becoming a nun. Although she appears obsessive occasionally her pursuit of holiness provides her with an escape from the desperation of poverty and gives her a strong sense of eth...