Auditing Ireland’s Religious Diversity: 21 st Century Faith

Auditing Ireland’s Religious Diversity: 21st Century Faith Reports on the Surveys of Faith Leaders & Laypeople on the island of Ireland By Dr Gladys Ganiel

Part of the IRCHSS-funded research project To be completed over three years To mark Centenary of 1910 Missionary Conference Surveys comprise first stage of the project

Purpose of Surveys • To audit religious diversity on the island • Ethnic diversity within congregations • Perceptions of reconciliation (what is reconciliation & who should be reconciled?) • Perceptions of ecumenism (what is ecumenism & does it matter today?) • Perspectives of both faith leaders & laypeople

Surveys of Faith Leaders Clergy, Pastors, Ministers, Faith Leaders • More than 4,000 direct email or postal requests • April-July 2009 • Response rate 18% • Evangelicals over-represented • Highest response rate among Methodist & Church of Ireland

Surveys of Laypeople On-line Exploratory Survey More than 900 respondents April-July 2009 on www.ecumenics.ie Atheists & evangelicals over-represented Provide useful points of comparison for survey of faith leaders and provide directions for future research

Key Findings: Diversity • 54% of faith leaders have preached or taught on diversity within the last 12 months • 44% of faith leaders have never done anything out of the ordinary to accommodate immigrants or ethnic minorities • Diversity is the reality for many faith communities on the island

Perspectives on Diversity Welcoming the 'alien' and ensuring their flourishing is a big theme in Hebrew Scriptures. I preach fairly often on this to a congregation some of whom employ Polish or other Eastern European nationals, yet are not welcoming to them when their children come to our school. Church of Ireland Minister, Co. Tipperary

Perspectives on Diversity [A challenge is the] hidden prejudices of those who believe such strangers in our midst are responsible for taking "our" jobs or "free-loading” on welfare at a time of economic down-turn. –Catholic priest, Limerick City

Key Findings: Reconciliation • People think of reconciliation in individualistic terms (between individuals & God, and between individuals) • Faith leaders do not spend as much time preaching & teaching on reconciliation as they would like • Faith leaders were more likely than laypeople to say their wider faith community had provided them with adequate training about reconciliation

Perspectives on Reconciliation I am back in favour with God because of what Christ did on Calvary. – Male, Evangelical Christian, Co. Clare Asking for forgiveness, forgiving, sharing common ground, having fun. – Female, Catholic, Co. Dublin The acceptance of others’ opposing background faiths and beliefs. – Female, Jewish, Co. Dublin Though holding different cultural, political and religious views I believe it means ‘doing unto others as you would be done by.’ – Male, Hindu/Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Belfast City What it is meaning is one group is walking on another, but it should mean they should walk side by side, and enjoy each other’s marches and parades. Live and let live. – Female, Church of Ireland, Co. Cork

Perspectives on Reconciliation Not sure I agree that reconciliation is what we should be looking at, the ‘re’ of the word suggests that we have somewhere to go back to. Think I would just want to look forward to create new ways of being together. – Church of Ireland minister, Co. Londonderry/Derry I feel this question could be misconceived. If we believe that reconciliation comes from the gospel, then the outworking ofthe gospel will drive reconciliation. What do you mean by reconciling Muslims and Christians? If it is not in the gospel – is it really reconciliation? – Presbyterian, Co. Donegal

Key Findings: Ecumenism • Most reported positive conceptions of ecumenism (67% of laypeople) • There was some confusion about what ecumenism actually is • Most conceived of ecumenism in terms of Catholic/Protestant relationships, but laypeople were more likely to include Other Religions in it • Leaders did not spend as much time on ecumenism as they would like • Laypeople thought more time should be spent on ecumenical activities

Perspectives on Ecumenism It’s a word that sadly needs to go on the junkpile because of the way that it is received. Although, I appreciate it and would unashamedly call myself an ecumenicist, I think it is commonly read as a word for exchange without critique; a project of empty relativism that can't feed into discipleship of Christians or the increase of justice in the land. –Presbyterian minister, Co. Kildare What I experience is nothing short of tokenism; avoidance of risk, of experimentation for fear of 'higher authorities'. Ecumenism in Ireland has become a form of clericalism. Many good, unannounced forms of ecumenism happening between individuals. –Catholic priest, Co. Mayo

Perspectives on Ecumenism ...To be honest the first time I heard the word being used in any sense was on Father Ted "that would be an ecumenical matter" so I suppose my definition would be a vague one - about matters relating to faith. – Female, Catholic, Co. Longford A joyous and positive thing! I believe that there is more to unite all Christians of all persuasions than there is to divide. – Male, Church of Ireland, Co. Down The opening of dialogue between the denominations to bring a greater level of right relationship and understanding/ fellowship...knowing there can be no return to a single branch but hoping that we can work as a single branch in our unique ways. – Male, Catholic, Co. Kildare

Questions Raised • Are our faith communities responding adequately to immigration and ethnic diversity? • Is focusing on individualistic conceptions of reconciliation done at the expense of other forms of reconciliation? • What can be done to better prepare leaders to preach & teach on reconciliation – and find the time to do so?

Questions Raised • Can ‘dialogue’ and ‘good civic relations’ do enough to construct a meaningful ecumenism? • Should Other Religions be actively pursued for participation in ecumenical activities? What about atheists? • What do some of the strong & emotional responses to the term ‘ecumenism’ tell us about the state of ecumenism on the island today?

Visioning 21st Century Ecumenism: Next Steps • Identify at least eight case studies to investigate issues raised in the surveys in more depth • Theological reflection and research, the development of new theological perspectives and resources

Auditing Ireland’s Religious Diversity: 21 st Century Faith