This week, World Interfaith Harmony Week, a United Nations observance, “provides a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognise the common values that they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities”.

Ireland has seen its fair share of religious disharmony. Though those challenges have not quite disappeared, inter-community relations have certainly improved. There are however new challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Just over one hundred years ago the Irish Council of Churches was established to allow member churches to formally engage and act on a wide variety of issues.