Religion and Atheism in Ireland

August 11, 2012 / MariaNews.com 

Religion and Atheism in Ireland 

(Vatican Radio) - A survey published this week has revealed that only 47% of people in Ireland consider themselves to be religious. Responding to the findings of the Global Index of Religion and Atheism, Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin says the data is a further reminder of the need to take religious education – particularly among adults – seriously.

In a letter published on the Archdiocese website Abp. Martin states that “Catholic Church…cannot simply presume that the faith will automatically be passed from one generation to the next or be lived to the full by its own members”.

He notes that “the emphasis on religious education in schools – vital as it is – has perhaps taken attention away from the need for adult religious education. By adult religious education I mean religious education of such quality that it treats men and women as adults, addressing the questions which adult Christians have to face as they live their faith in today’s changing world”.

The Archbishop of Dublin also points out that Church leaders need to garner the visible enthusiasm for strong catechesis that they encountered among ordinary Catholics during the recent Eucharistic Congress, before it’s too late. He urges parishes to redouble their efforts in applying the National Directory of Catechesis Share the Good News suggesting the upcoming Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI presents the perfect opportunity of this.

Read the full text of Archbishop Martin’s comments here: http://www.news.va/en/news/abp-martin-religion-and-atheism-in-ireland

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