Bishop Dónal McKeown has said an increasing emphasis on ‘individualism’ in a ‘frightening’ new ‘liquid society’ over the past number of decades has alienated people from those ‘things that give us solid identity’
The Bishop of Derry made the observation in his Easter Vigil homily in St. Eugene’s Cathedral at the weekend.
“The world has changed radically in the last few decades. We all know that. Travel, communication, family and a highly secularised culture have altered people's expectations of life and these changes have also caused enormous problems for so many men and women and for so many of our young people,” he told the congregation during Mass last Saturday evening.
He argued that over recent decades people have been alienated from things that give their lives meaning.
"An emphasis on individualism has led to a frightening 'liquid society', as somebody called it, where commitment is seen as limiting my freedom, everything is precarious and nothing has much meaning. We have been cut off from any of those things that give us solid identity, our healthy connection with the creator, with creation and with our fellow creatures,” he said.
Dr. McKeown added that he believed this was impacting people’s well-being and argued for the need for resurrection.
"No wonder we are plagued with addictions and mental illness. No wonder many young people are increasingly unhappy with the paper thin hope that they are being offered. Resurrection is needed and offered here and now,” the Bishop of Derry declared in his Easter sermon.