Press Releases28 May 20

Research into Churches’ Covid–19 response

Research based on a survey of around 400 clergy from across the island of Ireland summarises potential lessons for Churches which could be learned from ministering through the Covid–19 pandemic.

‘People Still Need Us’ – authored by Dr Gladys Ganiel from Queen’s University Belfast – indicates that Christian leaders and communities have not only played important roles in providing pastoral care and social services during the pandemic, but there is also evidence of increased prayer and high levels of online religious practice among people on the island.

The survey was collaboration between Queen’s and the Irish Council of Churches/Irish Inter–Church Meeting (ICC/IICM). Dr Ganiel, worked with the General Secretary of the ICC, Dr Nicola Brady, and representatives of member denominations to develop the survey questions. It was distributed to more than 2,000 faith leaders, with 439 usable responses received from every county on the island.

The report provides a snapshot of how leaders and communities are adapting in a time of rapid and disorientating change.  It also shows how people of faith are grieving, coping, moving religion online and serving the wider community, and how leaders are coping with the stresses of ministry.