The Iona Institute podcast

The Iona Institute was very pleased to host an outstanding talk by Melanie McDonagh on her widely reviewed new book, ‘Converts: From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became Catholic in the 20th Century’.In front of a packed room, Melanie explained the social and religious conditions that led hundreds of thousands of English people to convert to Catholicism in the last century. It is a learned and entertaining overview of a particular moment in history and the larger-than-life characters who inhabited it. We think you will enjoy it immensely.

What are the signs of a great openness to religion among members of Gen Z? Stephen Bullivant, Professor of Theology and Sociology of Religion at St Mary's University, Twickenham in London, looks at what the data have to say.He gave his talk at 2025 Iona Institute youth conference on October 11 in Dublin. The theme of the conference was 'Does Gen Z have a future without religion?'(During his talk, professor Bullivant reffered to figures to an handout. Here is the link to the handout: https://ionainstitute.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Iona-handout.pdf )

Is total secularisation inevitable? Professor Stephen Bullivant says it is not, and in fact, Gen Z is showing increased openness to religion. He was speaking at a recent ionainstitute conference. You can watch his presentation here: https://youtu.be/DzusZCnbHXg

On Saturday October 11th, The Iona Institute held its third annual youth conference. This year, the theme was Does Gen Z Have a Future Without Religion?In his address, Fr Conor McDonough OP, a popular Dominican friar who is also active on social media, looks at something unexpected: the quiet reawakening of faith among Gen Z (those born between the end of the 1990s and the early 2010s). Fr Conor explores the surprising signs of spiritual renewal among young people today, and the challenges that accompany them.In this podcast, gives a summary of his address.You can read the full text of his talk here.

Listen to the opening remarks from David Quinn at the annual Iona Institute youth conference.In his opening address at the annual Iona Institute youth conference last Saturday, David Quinn spells out the demographic facts of life to Gen Z. He told a packed room that ‘Gen Z’ (roughly corresponding to those in their 20s) is likely to have the lowest marriage rates and birth rates ever recorded and that this makes them a hinge generation. But he also said that religious practice makes people more likely to marry and have children, meaning that the religious members of Gen Z will become vitally important as they buck the wider societal downward trends.The theme of the conference was ‘Does Gen Z have a future without religion?’

Well-known religious affairs commentator, Michael Kelly, author of a recent book about Pope Leo XIV, discusses the new pontiff's life, his ministry and how he will respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the Catholic Church. He talks about the Conclave that elected him, and what may have prompted his election. Michael also explains why the new pope picked the name 'Leo XIV'.Michael is a Vatican expert who appears regularly on TV and radio to discuss religious affairs. He is a former editor of The Irish Catholic and is currently Public Affairs Director for Aid to the Church in Need Ireland. The talk took place in the Central Catholic Library in Dublin on July 30, 2025.

“Evangelium Vitae", Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter on "the Culture of Life" and the "Culture of Death" was published 30 years ago and greatly galvanised the pro-life movement worldwide. Maria Steen discusses the enduring themes of the encyclical and how it is even more relevant today than it was 30 years ago. The talk was hosted by The Iona Institute and took place on May 3.

Dr Tim Crowley spoke on the topic of freedom of thought and speech at the Iona Institute annual youth conference. Dr Crowley in particular drew on lessons from ancient Greece, including the trial of Socrates (pictured) for defying the mores of his day, and how these lessons apply to our present situation. Dr Crowley is a lecturer in philosophy at University College Dublin. He obtained his DPhil at the University of Oxford and he is a prominent defender of freedom of speech.

Tim Stanley, writer, historian and columnist with The Daily Telegraph was the keynote speaker at our annual youth conference on Saturday, October 5. His talk was called 'The beauty and value of tradition.' Tim addressed current attacks on tradition, what tradition really is, why we need it, signs of revival, and why cultural Christianity is not the answer to the depletion of our social and moral capital, only real Christian belief is.

David Quinn spoke at the Iona Institute annual youth conference at the beginning of October. His talk was called ‘The state We’re In’, and looked at Church, State and society in the present day, while looking ahead to what things might look like in 2050, when most of the attendees will be middle-aged. He said we face a fast-ageing population, even with high immigration, that the effects of AI and climate change are unpredictable, and that without a firm Christian foundation for human rights, humans may no longer be regarded as special at all anymore, and where will that leave human rights? He said in this sort of climate, Christians will stand out more and offer a surer path ahead for many people than any of the alternatives.