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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

Sweetman, Bernadette and O'Farrell, Cora orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-4130-4364 (2024) 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, 46 (3). pp. 287-296. ISSN 0141-6200

Abstract
The Adult Religious Education and Faith Development project (AREFD) was launched in 2018 at the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU. As part of the study, the research team consulted variety of people involved in AREFD across a range of contexts. The purpose of these consultations was to harness their ‘lived wisdom’, showcasing the wide variety of opportunities for engagement in and identifying possible new approaches to AREFD. When COVID-19 struck, the research team availed of the opportunity to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the religious education and faith development of this particular cohort of Irish adults. Thematically analysed, the data showed a spectrum of responses. The pandemic prompted deep reflection and a re-evaluation of the importance of religion and faith in their lives. Ranging from gaining comfort and solace from their faith to being moved to acts of compassion and altruism based on their religious beliefs, the impact of the pandemic on the faith lives of these Irish adults was diverse. This paper provides an account of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the faith lives of some Irish adults, prompting reflection on how this impact might shape the future of AREFD in Ireland.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Adult education; faith development; Ireland; COVID-19
Subjects:Humanities > Religions
Social Sciences > Adult education
Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Teaching
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education
DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Human Development
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
Official URL:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01416...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:32519
Deposited On:27 Apr 2026 13:23 by Cora O'farrell . Last Modified 27 Apr 2026 13:23
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