It should be a matter of deep concern to all people of faith that an "easy disregard" for the religious faith of so many citizens holds increasing sway on this island, the Catholic primate Cardinal Sean Brady has said.
Speaking in St Patrick’s College Maynooth, Dr Brady said this disregard is increasingly being expressed in a form of secularism which says religion is fine so long as it keeps to its place as a private belief and does not intrude into the public arena or a person’s approach to their civic duties.
"This is often justified in the name of tolerance and freedom. In fact, it could hardly be more intolerant and illiberal," he said.
"Here in Ireland, for the first time in our history, our politics, economics and social structures function in a manner where God is almost unmentioned and irrelevant. It is as if we operate in a world, as someone put it, where God is missing but not missed, or where most aspects of life are conducted as though God did not exist," he said.
Dr Brady said there is "kind of deafness or blindness" about much of modern life.
"Our busy culture does not leave much room for talking about God," he said."What we need are politicians, public servants, scientists, journalists, economists, bankers and others with the integrity and courage to bring their Christian faith with them into the cabinet room, the laboratory or the boardroom."
However, the cardinal said the demand for courses in theology in Ireland has never been greater and described it . as "a tremendous sign of hope" for the future.
"Is it possible that the global nature of our financial crisis and the challenge of climate change are giving rise to a new openness to solidarity and interdependence?" he asked.
The cardinal was speaking at a graduation ceremony for 134 theology graduates.