Section C: 1.1 Major trends in religion in contemporary Ireland


The landscape of faith has changed dramatically in recent decades with prominence and influence of religion clearly on the wane. A number of cultural changes, including scientific and technological advancements, the rise of atheism, and the emergence of humanism, have resulted in challenges to traditional forms of worship and the authority of religious institutions.


Exam Question

“Religious belief is ancient, diverse and dynamic.” Describe, using examples two major trends in religion in Ireland.

Secularisation

Over the past half century Ireland has become increasingly secular – this is evident in census returns where the number of people who identify as non-religious had risen significantly. The secularisation of society is seen in the loss of influence of religious institutions at a national and personal level. In the Irish context there are several reasons for this emerging trend – loss of faith in the Catholic Church following scandals, the reliance on scientific rationality to answer ultimate questions, the advent of multiculturalism and variety of viewpoints that have evolved in our pluralist society. The grip religion once had on the popular consciousness has loosened and people are more inclined to question the culture they’ve inherited. This necessarily poses awkward questions for religious institutions as they reconsider their role in society.

Ecumenism

The ecumenical movement is another trend that has developed in recent decades in Ireland. Ecumenism is broadly defined as cooperation between Christian Churches. It has developed in an effort to ‘heal historical wounds’ between Christian denominations who have often found themselves on opposing sides of cultural and ideological conflicts. In Ireland conflict between Catholic and Protestant groups has its roots in the plantations and the enactment of penal laws. The desire for Irish independence and a distinct Irish identity became aligned with Catholicism – as this denomination was seen as anti-British. Throughout ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland Catholic and Protestants found themselves on opposite sides of a political conflict. Within this context the need for ecumenism is apparent – it’s necessary for Christian churches to emphasize similarities – highlighting teachings on the commitment to non-violence, conflict resolution, the practice of forgiveness. These traits proved instrumental in the brokering of a peace deal in the north and the establishment of the ‘Good Friday agreement’.

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