Social revolution could see society crumble, warns priest

A social revolution is rapidly changing the way Irish people work, rest and play, it was claimed today.

Outspoken priest Fr Harry Bohan said family and community – two systems which held Irish society together for generations – will crumble if not protected.

The trained sociologist will be outlining his views with other speakers at the two-day Ceifin Conference which begins today in Co Clare.

Speakers at the event include the Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Sean Brady and international management consultant Charles Handy.

Fr Bohan said: “A social revolution has been taking place long before the recent economic revolution and the extraordinary thing is this has been happening with very little debate.”

The 11th annual conference, themed 'Family Life Today – The Greatest Revolution., will discuss the role of family in modern society and its relationship with school, work and the local community.

Family law expert Geoffrey Shannon, economist Jim Power and clinical psychologist Marie Murray will also deliver papers.

For the first time the event has invited young parents from dozens of villages and towns around the country.

“We will empower these delegates to bring back information from the conference and put it into practice in their local communities,” said Fr Bohan.

In a tribute to the late Co Clare-born president Paddy Hillery, Bishop of Killaloe Willie Walsh will present the Ceifin Award 2008 to the statesman’s family.