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?’