Catholic Identity in Contemporary Ireland: Belief and Belonging to Tradition

Holy Catholic Ireland is changing rapidly. Irish Catholics no longer have the same
devotion to the Church that their parents had. While institutional affiliation and levels
of belief remain high, there has been a decline in practice, particularly in the number
going to Mass. This paper analyses recent changes in Catholic belief and practice,
compares them with trends among other European Catholics, and links them to
findings from a qualitative study of Contemporary Irish Identities. The changes in
Irish Catholic religiosity can be associated with an ongoing detachment from the
institutional church. An orthodox adherence to institutional rules and regulations
appears to be giving way to a collective identification with a religious heritage. What
was once defined as á la carte Catholicism seems to be giving way to a more
smorgasbord approach in which Catholics not only pick and chose which institutional
rules, beliefs and practices they prefer but, increasingly, mix these with ingredients
from other religious traditions. These findings suggest a new typology of Irish
Catholics.