Background to the Research

• This project arose out of consultations between the Centre for the Study of Conflict in the University of Ulster at Coleraine and DENI and aimed to study the role of the churches in the twenty years of violence in Northern Ireland. The research utilised two approaches; a questionnaire survey of clergy in Northern Ireland and three case studies designed to reflect the range of circumstances in different parts of the province, east and west of the River Bann and in rural and urban settings.
  
  
• This summary presents the findings of the survey of Clergy throughout Northern Ireland.

Research Approach

• In total, 1074 questionnaires were sent out to the four largest religious denominations in Northern Ireland. A total of 453 questionnaires were returned representing an oveall response rate of 42%. There was considerable variance however in the response rates between the four denominations: Methodist (60%), Roman Catholic (19%), Presbyterian (50%) and Church of Ireland (55%).

Main Findings

• In general Protestant clergy responded much more readily than Catholic clergy.
  
  
• Responses came from clergy of all ages. There was some variation between denominations but in no case was the response rate to poor as to render results inadequate because of age structure.
  
  
• The geographical spread of responses was wide. Each denominations had a slightly different regional distribution but the differences were not significant. Overall, the survey had a similar response in all areas.
  
  
• The size of the parishes and congregations varied according to denomination. Clergy ministering in the COI and the RC Church worked in relation to a large number of laity. Nevertheless in such situations, and particularly in the RC Church there was usually more than one priest. Presbyterian congregations had one minister each as assistant were not surveyed. Methodists had the smallest average size of congregation reflecting their smaller absolute size.
  
  
• The majority of clergy in all denominations believe that a social facet to their work is important. The Presbyterian clergy however, appeared to be the least interested in the social aspect to the church and/or with community work in the parishes or congregations, whilst the RC clergy appeared very anxious to develop such work.
  
  
• The majority of clergy have no objection in principle to cooperate in the sphere of community and social facilities. However, there are more Protestant clergy unwilling to cooperate with Roman Catholic's in this sphere than visa versa. Catholic Church involvement with statutory bodies is if anything greater than among Protestant Churches
  
  
• Churches provide denominationally separate facilities. Amongst Protestant Churches the divide is not absolute, especially in the sphere of social services and uniformed organisations. Nevertheless there are few organisations which bridges this gap. This contrasts sharply with the apparent willingness to cooperate in principle. Most clergy indicated no objections in principle to inter-community contact at the level of recreation. Any objections held, were in the main made by Protestants to contact with Catholics.
  
  
• Formal contacts between the clergy are stronger within denominations than within the locality. The RC clergy are the most isolated within their own denomination and have less formal and informal contact with other denominational clergy than Protestants have among themselves. However nearly 40% of all clergy have no formal contacts with clergy outside their denomination. COI contact with Free Presbyterians appears very sporadic whilst the latter appear least in favour of formal or informal contacts with Roman Catholics.
  
  
• Presbyterian clergy are more likely to refuse to participate in worship with RCs than Clergy of other Protestant denominations.
  
  
• Far more COI clergy avoid joint worship contact with RCs on theological grounds than avoid Presbyterians. The Catholic-Protestant cleft appears to dominate theological life among Northern Irish Anglicans. RCs are least likely to be involved in inter-denominational services of any kind.