I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with you and to speak to you this evening about the importance which I attach to the structured dialogue on which we have embarked. I am particularly gratified that the process has met with such a warm and positive response from all of the churches, faith communities and the Irish Humanist Association.
Over the course of my political career, I have observed a growing hesitation in public debate to refer to religion, the churches, issues of faith and belief, and sometimes even to acknowledge the very fact of the impact on our culture and institutions of the historical contribution of the church communities. Some of that reflects the reality that an increasing percentage of our people do not profess a religious faith, or if they do, are less likely to be regular in their practice.
Some of that reticence reflects the tragic reality that sectarian conflict has scarred the face of this country for too long and at such a high price. As we know, very often religious identity has been hijacked as a convenient shorthand for communal difference and political allegiance. Legitimate confessional and theological differences have been transformed into instruments of conflict.
However, I believe that there is another factor, and one which is far more worrying. It is the attempt to exclude matters of faith and religious belief from public debate and confine them to the purely personal, with no social or public significance. On a previous occasion, I referred to this as aggressive secularism. It is, I believe, fundamentally illiberal and anti-democratic to silence opinions and views, and marginalise institutions and communities which draw their identity and ethical positions from a background of religious belief.
In saying this, I am acutely conscious of the large and growing number of our citizens who do not subscribe to any religious belief. This does not mean, of course, that they do not have very clear ethical and philosophical positions, nor that these do not have significance for public policy and the public authorities. On the contrary, we must be acutely aware of how our democracy provides an inclusive and respectful approach to all our citizens, from whatever religious or philosophical perspective they come.
From the perspective of Irish republicanism, I believe that the political challenge is to build a society which has the allegiance of “Catholic, Protestant and dissenter”, and free-thinkers as well. This is equally central to the tradition of Irish parliamentary politics as set out by Daniel O’Connell who said that in a self-governing Ireland there would be “perfect religious freedom, perfect freedom of conscience for all and for everyone”. It is right that the State and the public authorities should acknowledge and respect religious identity and the life and work of religious and faith communities. We should enable religious and faith communities to develop institutions and activities which reflect their particular views. Public authorities and institutions should also acknowledge and reflect with sensitivity the differing religious and philosophical positions of those who make use of their services. Support from public authorities should be available on an equitable basis to organisations which have an explicit faith identity and those which explicitly do not.
Of course, the State must hold organisations of all kinds to account for the use which they make of resources and supports made available to them. All organisations, and all institutions, must be held accountable before the law for the consequences of their actions. But a truly pluralist society, a society which operates a respectful separation of church and State, will be characterised by a civic culture which acknowledges and respects the varieties of religious belief and practice, and the position of those who do not subscribe to religious belief. It will also be characterised by religious and faith communities which recognise their civic responsibility to foster good community relations and the highest standards of respectful engagement with those of differing beliefs, and of none. To that extent, the ecumenical movement among the Christian churches, the active pursuit of inter-faith dialogue and reflection, and the spiritual dimension of the common good are of vital interest to the State, while being entirely the responsibility of religious and faith communities themselves. Similarly, the experience and aspirations of those who do not profess a religious faith must also be acknowledged, respected and provided for in our public arrangements.
I am greatly encouraged that relations between the different denominations and faith communities are so positive, despite the persistence of deep confessional differences. I regret that this is not reflected in those parts of this island where sectarian division and community segregation are all too prevalent. I do believe, however, that the establishment of stable political institutions in Northern Ireland, and a community-wide focus on economic and social development, can help to create an environment in which better understanding, and improved relations across the communal divide, can develop.
I am particularly conscious of the role being played by the churches and faith communities in integrating those who have come to our shores over recent years, many from a background of deep religious conviction. Far from being a source of division, faith community membership has been a very important channel for integration into Irish society. Clearly, the greater diversity of our population is raising issues about our approach to the provision of services, especially in education. I want to acknowledge the tremendous work of very many schools operating under denominational or faith patronage in catering for children of diverse backgrounds and many faiths. Clearly, the arrangements for future school provision are evolving. I believe it is right that we should proceed carefully, and with deliberation and care, so that we ensure that new models reflect the best of our existing practice while evolving to address new needs, all the while reflecting on the importance of parental choice and parental responsibility.
I am pleased with the progress we are making in this structured dialogue. I am grateful for the positive and constructive spirit in which all of you have engaged with it. I believe that our experience highlights the value of the equivalent provision in the Reform Treaty in respect of structured dialogue at European level. I am grateful for the recognition which many of you have given publicly to the importance of this provision in helping to create a Europe of values, worthy of the traditions from which our Union has grown. Naturally, I believe that this is yet another reason why a positive vote in the referendum on June 12th is the right approach, and I urge you to draw this important aspect of the Treaty to the attention of your colleagues and communities.
When I initiated this structured dialogue, I said that it would be appropriate to provide support for high-quality theological reflection on many of the issues that are central to public debate in the Ireland of today. I am pleased to say that arrangements are now being agreed to support the research capacity within the disciplines of theology and religious studies so as to promote greater understanding between people of different religious and secular convictions. This will encourage and support research on the changing faces of religious identity and secularity, the dynamic of tradition and change within faith communities and institutions, and into areas of solidarity, shared meaning and values and contributions to ethical and intellectual debate. I would like to thank those from the academic community who have contributed to the development of this programme.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you for the contribution which you are making to Irish society. Throughout my political career I have been impressed, time and again, by the remarkable work of clergy and lay people from all denominations who apply themselves tirelessly in the service of communities, families and individuals, often in the most challenging and difficult of circumstances. My travels around the world have brought home to me the huge contribution which Irish missionaries have made, and are continuing to make, to the building up of our world, to the support of those struggling against almost overwhelming odds to survive and develop, and thus to the hugely positive image of Ireland, and our disproportionate influence in so many international contexts. When Irish Ministers travel abroad, no matter where, we always realise that we are travelling in the footsteps of many Irish men and women who chose to leave our shores and to make their homes elsewhere, often alongside their fellow countrymen and women seeking to find a new life, often in very difficult conditions. More often, they devoted themselves to the service of people of strange lands which they made their own.
I am confident that the dialogue we have begun will continue and deepen. The challenges of a changing and modern Ireland deserve, indeed require, the full engagement of all of our citizens. That means the heart and the spirit, as well as the mind. It needs the inspiration of religious belief as well as the deep conviction of the humanist. Above all, it needs the recognition that dialogue, engagement and understanding lie at the heart of every worthwhile project.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
ENDS