Apologies if the context was unclear, but I meant the term as a loose-fitting way to describe our society, not as rigid legally binding State Religion terminology.

By multi-faith society, I simply refer to places were various religions are openly practiced by people. Ireland would be one example, England another – even though England has an official state religion.

In Ireland, our constitution gives us Religious Liberty – the freedom to practice any religion, the freedom of conscience, and the guarantee that the state will not discriminate on the grounds of religion.

Popular opinion, however, is a very different thing. And of course, freedom of conscience, whether granted by Church authority or by State authority (or both) will inevitably mean that there will be contradiction between people, and therefore you will find that there may be ‘certain acceptance’ of one belief, and ‘little toleration’ of another.

With regards to your last paragraph, are you suggesting that the pastor would be disinclined to give a solemn Mass, or that the congregation would be loathe to hear it?

All the best,

Dave

Israel is as Jewish as the US is Christian yet Israel is a declared “Jewish” state but the US is not a declared Christian one. Ireland is more Catholic than Israel is Jewish – is Ireland a legally “Christian” state? Egypt has a larger Christian minority by far than Ireland’s non-Christian minority – is Egypt considered to be a multi-faith nation because of her Coptic population?

I’m not certain that people generally really accept all religions in our secular western societies. There tends to be a certain acceptance of what can be called “generic Christianity” and the social gospel but there is little toleration for a serious Catholic Christianity committed to evangelization, reverent liturgy, and respect for the natural law.

If you don’t believe me try going to your pastor and ask him for a solemn Mass with the full ceremonies (far easier to do today than in 1962 but still more rare), a sermon explaining the natural law, and outreach to bring the fullness of Catholic truth to our non-Catholic neighbors in the manner of the Legion of Mary.

Good luck.