Temporary disruption or ‘opting out’? Changes in recent Polish migrants’ religiosity in Ireland

Presenter: Antje Roeder, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Author: Antje Roeder

Historically, religion has played an important role for migrant integration as a source of refuge, respect and resources, particularly in the context of the United States. In this contribution we add to the emerging European literature on the development of religiosity amongst migrants, and test somewhat conflicting theoretical expectations about an increased need for religion during times of upheaval on the one hand, and a temporarily disruptive effect of the migration event on the other hand. Poles in Ireland provide an interesting case study of such processes, as they largely share the majority religion, and therefore are unlikely to encounter religious prejudice which affects many other migrant groups in Europe. Additionally they should have ample opportunities for religious practice both within mainstream Churches and the vibrant Polish Catholic community.

By using unique panel data from the Socio Cultural Integration Processes among New Immigrants in Europe (SCIP) project to study changes between pre-migration and post migration religious participation we show that few migrants increase their religious involvement in the immediate aftermath of migration. Amongst the much larger group whose religion declines initially, two main patterns emerge: one of a temporary disruption followed by recovery to pre-migration levels, and one of consistent decline. This shows firstly that migration disrupts religious practice temporarily even in a favourable environment. Secondly, it also appears to liberate less religiously committed individuals from practices that they engaged in primarily due to social pressures rather than individual faith.