Adult religious education and faith development in Ireland has traditionally been conceived of as a process whereby faith communities/parishes provide talks or workshops usually delivered by outside experts.  Such input is often more focused on those who already committed, and are actively involved in ministry.  A range of possibilities which encourage adults generally to explore and deepen their faith experience and grow more fully into their faith community is desirable.

A culture of provision can be observed, locally and nationally, with little emphasis on review, evaluation and organisational learning.  There is a tendency to continue to do the same things without gaining much insight into how effectively initiatives contribute to supporting adults in learning about their faith and living a faith-filled life. 

At the same time, emerging forms of spirituality and popular piety continue to capture the adult imagination.  A spiritual sensibility remains but there can be a deficit of religious language through which people engage with each other in deepening their experience within a faith community.

In Ireland, various groups and communities are involved in different types of formal and informal activities that in some way are aimed at helping adults achieve a greater self-understanding, make sense of their lives and find joy.  Some may have an explicit religious focus and belong within a denominational expression.  Some may be more broadly spiritual.  No doubt however, across Ireland, there are adults in search of such opportunities for development but they might not know where to look or how to get started.  How do we find out about such models of best practice and make the connections so that more adults become engaged?

The AREFD project focuses on all these issues and seeks to facilitate a re-energising of adult religious education and faith development in Ireland.  By bringing together the wisdom and experience of existing initiatives, the research team aim to contribute, both at an academic and pastoral level, to the development of new AREFD opportunities.

Conference Presentations

2019. Sweetman, B. ‘Adult religious education in Ireland: Pushing the boat out’. Keynote lecture at

the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education 2019 Conference ‘Catholic Education: Formal, informal and lifelong’, DCU 17th - 18th October.

2020. Byrne. G. Religious education in Ireland with young people and adults: Review and renewal. Keynote lecture at the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies two-yearly National Review Conference, Leicestershire, 10th -11th March.

2020. Byrne, G. & Sweetman, B. ‘Opening up adult religious education in Ireland: The AREFD project’. Presentation given at ESAI 2019 Conference: Opening up education (online) 3rd-5th September.

2020. Sweetman, B. ‘Adult Religious Education in Ireland’, presentation at the Second International Conference on Catholic Religious Education in Schools in Melbourne on 14th February.

2021. Sweetman, B. 'Learnings from the AREFD project for the ITE of religious educators'. Presentation at AULRE 2021: Researching RE: Changing Times for Religious Education' (online, July)

2021. Sweetman, B. Covid-19 & Church 21: Perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on the faith lives of Catholics in the Republic of Ireland and the UK. Presentation at Irish Institute of Catholic Studies Conference: Interdisciplinary perspectives on Catholicism in Ireland and Beyond, Mary Immaculate College (online, August)

2022. Sweetman, B. ‘What can we learn from the AREFD project in relation to the research agenda of

Catholic Education and LGBTQI+ matters?’ Presentation given at the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education one-day conference on the Research Agenda in Catholic Education in relation to LGBTQI+ matters, DCU, 25th February.

2022. Sweetman, B. ‘Reimagining adult religious education and faith development in a dedtraditionalised Ireland’. Contribution to GRACE network webinar (online) 25th April 2022.

2022. Sweetman, B. ‘On being an adult Catholic and flourishing: Reflections upon the Adult Religious

Education and Faith Development Project’. Presentation given at the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education 2022 Annual Conference, St. Mary’s Twickenham, 21st May.

Peer-reviewed Journal articles and Book Chapters

2021. Byrne, G., & Sweetman, B. , ‘Opening up adult religious education in Ireland: The AREFD project’. British Journal of Religious Education (April, online).

2021. Byrne, G. & Sweetman, B. 'Responses of clergy and lay people to the COVID-19 crisis'. The Furrow 72 (3), 147 – 153.

2021. Sweetman, B. 'Learnings from the AREFD project for the initial teacher education of religious educators'. Journal of Religious Education DOI: 10.1007/s40839-021-00152-8.

2021. Sweetman. B. ‘Adult religious education in Ireland: Pushing the boat out’. In Catholic education: A lifelong journey, edited by G. Byrne & S. Whittle. Veritas: Dublin.

2021. Sweetman, B. ‘Reimagining adult religious education and faith development in a detraditionalised Ireland’. Religions. 12: 963. https://doi.org/10.3390/ rel12110963.

2022. Sweetman, B. ‘Valuing and cultivating dialogue amongst learner-educators: Ongoing challenges

for post-primary religious education teachers in Catholic schools’. In Formation of Teachers for Catholic Schools: Challenges and Opportunities in a New Era. Edited by L. Franchi & R. Rymarz. Springer:

Singapore: DOI.ORG/10.1007/978-981-19-4727-8

Pending publications upcoming in 2023:

Sweetman, B. ‘What can we learn from the AREFD project in relation to the research agenda of Catholic Education and LGBTQI+ matters?’ (under review following 25th February Conference)

Sweetman, B. ‘On being an adult Catholic and flourishing: Reflections upon the Adult Religious Education and Faith Development Project’ (under review following 21st May Conference)

General Media

Print

2019. Sweetman, B. ‘Dominant public view of religious persons as less intelligent is lamentable’, Rite & Reason article in The Irish Times , 25th June.

2019. Sweetman, B. 'What might a religious or spiritual adult look like?' , RTÉ Brainstorm article by Dr. B. Sweetman, 30th August.

2020. Byrne, G. & Sweetman, B. 'Coronavirus and Church: 2020 vision on the meaning of faith in our lives'. Rite & Reason article in The Irish Times. 23rd June.

2021. Byrne, G. & Sweetman, B. Faith and Covid: Majority of churchgoers want to return to old patterns' The Irish Times, 11th May. Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/faith-and-covid-

majority-of-churchgo...

Radio

To date, Dr. Sweetman has been invited to speak about the AREFD project on a number of radio shows, including the Vatican Radio, FaithCast (IEC) and Spirit Radio along with a range of regional programmes

across Ireland.

2022. Sweetman, B. The AREFD project. Guest speaker on Conversations from the Classroom podcast by Dr. David Kennedy, DCU (release data tbc)

Continuing and adapting: COVID-19 and the AREFD project

As a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the practical operations of the AREFD project, the Presentation Sisters North East Province generously provided additional funding to extend the work to the end of 2023.  The research team is very appreciative of this supportive gesture.

The emergence of COVID-19 affected people in many ways, including their faith, engagement with Church and with religious education.  This unexpected occurrence led the research team to adapt accordingly and seek ways to capture these experiences in Adult Religious Education and Faith Development during the pandemic. 

This happened in two distinct ways:

1. The remaining consultations in Phase Two from March 2020 were conducted via Zoom and the topics of online engagement and the impact of lockdown restrictions on the activities of work of the groups became a central feature.  Learning emerging from these discussions will be part of the outputs from Phase Two.
2. Collaboration with York St. John University on large-scale quantitative research via two online surveys covering the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom:
   1. Coronavirus, Church & You (May – June 2020)
   2. COVID-19 & Church-21 (January - March 2021)

You can read more about each of the above surveys at the links provided above.  

You can listen to an interview about the survey on the link below:

The Morning Show, Spirit Radio 11th March 2021 (25 minutes into the podcast)

There was also an interview on the Faith Alive programme on Midwest Radio on 7th March 2021.  Their website offers a 'listen back' facility here

Presentations

2021. Sweetman, B. Covid-19 & Church 21: Perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on the faith lives of Catholics in the Republic of Ireland and the UK.  Presentation at Irish Institute of Catholic Studies Conference: Interdisciplinary perspectives on Catholicism in Ireland and Beyond, Mary Immaculate College (online, August)

Publications

2020. Byrne, G. & B. Sweetman. 'Coronavirus and Church: 2020 vision on the meaning of faith in our lives'.  Rite & Reason article in The Irish Times. 23rd June 2020 

2021. Byrne, G. & B. Sweetman. 'Responses of clergy and lay people to the COVID-19 crisis'.  The Furrow 72 (3), 147 - 153

2021. Byrne, G. & B. Sweetman, Faith and Covid: Majority of churchgoers want to return to old patterns' The Irish Times, 11th May. Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/faith-and-covid-majority-of-churchgo…

2023. Sweetman.B. 'From acting as a crutch to activating as a catalyst: A spectrum of responses from Irish adults regarding religious education and faith development in COVID times' British Journal of Religious Education (under review)

Opening up the conversation about AREFD

Over the period of the AREFD project, the research team worked hard to prompt and maintain meaningful discourse on the various aspects of adult religious education and faith development in a number of areas.  The regular presentations and publications by the research team as well as invitations to contribute to media and events meant that the AREFD project became a recurring fixture in the agendas of different gatherings and functions.  The nationwide consultations which followed the online survey in year 1 kept up a momentum in clearly stating the importance of listening to the current needs of adults in relation to their faith development and religious education.  Encouraging the ongoing work in AREFD was important to the research team and they endeavoured to bring attention to the many individuals and groups already involved and to keep this important conversation on AREFD going.

Academic and Pastoral Dimensions

A particular strength of the AREFD project has been its involvement with and promotion of religious education and faith development opportunities for adults in both academic and pastoral contexts.  The mutual contribution that those involved in REFD academically can afford to those involved in a pastoral way and vice versa is a key feature of the project over the course of its timeline.  Based at a denominational centre within a progressive pluralist university, the research team were in the position to learn from and contribute to the work of fellow academics both nationally and internationally.  Similarly, through involvement with catechetical groups, parish and diocesan centres as well as engagement with the Northern Pastoral Network and the National Faith Development Team of the Irish Episcopal Conference, the AREFD research team advocated how academic and pastoral groups can both learn from and collaborate with each other.

Maximising opportunities for impact

Dissemination of findings and sharing of insights from the AREFD project was strategically conducted so as to engage with different media (local, national and Vatican radio; general media such as RTE Brainstorm and Rite and Reason articles in the Irish Times; and peer-reviewed academic publications).  As a result, the AREFD project was within the radar of a broad range of target audience and spectators.  As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, the research team accepted the invitation of York St. John University to work together on a two-part research project on the impact of COVID-19 on Churchgoers across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.  This kept the AREFD project relevant in changing circumstances and provides a unique insight on faith matters in this historical period.   Publications and presentations of the AREFD not only gave important evidence-based accounts on the current landscape of AREFD in Ireland and the needs of contemporary Irish adults, but these are also pertinent to non-Irish contexts.  Indeed, much interest from abroad was generated over the four years that convinces the research team of the significance of this work going forward.  The disseminations also provided practical recommendations based on the research evidence for a number of different contexts such as learning from the AREFD project for Initial Teacher Education; LGBTQI+ matters; working within detraditionalised contexts; and the significance of dialogue.

Long-term vision

In four years, the research project has resulted in a strong publication portfolio and a substantial network of contacts and possibilities for future funding, research and engagement with teaching and learning.  Notwithstanding, the work of the AREFD project research team also underscores the slow pace that can feature in both pastoral and academic contexts in relation to religious education and faith development.  The need for greater religious literacy, agency, confidence and collaboration amongst laity and clergy is clear.  Strategic investment both financially and time-based for both personnel and resources is recommended.  Such investment as well as any training, professional development and ongoing support requires a long-term commitment with reflective practice at its core.  With this in mind, the research team are keen to see springboards emerge on foot of the AREFD project that will continue this very significant work.

Networking and support

Sustaining a long-term vision where people are nourished in their roles and quality resources are produced in an endeavour that is founded upon the principles of collaboration, co-responsibility and mutual respect.  The networking that has been highlighted and encouraged by the research team requires ongoing support in the future.  The next steps emerging from the AREFD project will have this networking and support as a central feature.

There were two main data collection phases in this project: the online survey in 2019 that gathered 738 responses and the consultations with a total of 22 people spread between 2019 and 2021.

This mixture of qualitative and quantitative data represents the perspectives of a wide range of Irish adults from 18 years and up.  Their engagement with religious education and faith development was varied and the analysis of their input generated a number of key learnings for the research project.

The specific realm of AREFD

The needs of adults in relation to religious education and faith development vary according to a number of factors.  These range from age, life experience, learning styles and motivation for involvement.  Consequently, it is necessary to create a wide variety of opportunities and to revisit these opportunities to ensure relevance.  These may be formal, informal, accredited, individual- or group-based, short-term or long-term.  In brief, AREFD is complex and cannot be encapsulated in the same models used in school-based religious education or broad parish initiatives. 

Centrality of Jesus Christ

The personal relationship with Jesus Christ emerged as an important feature for adults.  A greater sense of connection within faith communities was evident in those adults for whom Jesus Christ was a familiar and real presence in their lives.  Issues with institutional or organised religion were named as barriers for some adults to engagement with religious education and faith development.  In contrast, a more meaningful and deep experience may be possible when the person of Jesus Christ is emphasised.

Physicality of religion

Engaging all the senses and approaching religious education and faith development holistically is very important for adults. The concept of ‘hand, heart and hands’ is well known in general religious education and this was strongly emphasised by adults in the AREFD project. They indicated how good religious education and faith development can deeply impact upon their thoughts, feelings and actions. In parallel, religious education and faith development opportunities that intentionally involved an experiential dimension were particularly effective.

Importance of strategic investment in AREFD

Ongoing support for providers of AREFD is essential.  Recruitment and succession planning are important.  Those involved in AREFD noted the rewarding and fulfilling nature of their work yet stressed that it can take a significant amount of time, tenacity and talent.  If addressing the religious education and faith development needs of adults is to be taken seriously, it is necessary to invest appropriately in terms of personnel and resources.

Language, communication and religious literacy

Religious education and faith development are important aspects of a person’s life.  Adults deserve the opportunity to reflect upon and explore these dimensions.  In order to do this, it is necessary that space is created for conversation.  There is a place for religion and faith in the public domain as well the private and it is important that religious education and faith development continue to feature in academic and pastoral settings as well as in the media and everyday living.

Practicalities and relevance

Adults juggle many roles and responsibilities while still having their own religious education and faith development needs to be addressed in different ways across their lifetimes.  It is important to keep in mind the varied levels of time availability, financial conditions and areas of interest when creating opportunities for them in this area.

Agency and empowerment

Data showed that while many adults feel they have talents and gifts that could be channelled into AREFD for their benefit and for others, there are some barriers to overcome.  There can be a sense that you must be a ‘certain type of person’, ordained or religious in order to engage in AREFD.  This misconception must be challenged to honour the dignity of the human person, enabling each person to fully live out their baptismal call.  Affordability and flexibility must be features of any AREFD opportunities and all enfused with an atmosphere of hospitality and welcome.

If you would like to find out more about the AREFD project or would be interested in conducting further research in related areas, please contact bernadette.sweetman@dcu.ie