A pluralist society would cherish the Angelus

I VISIT Ireland regularly and treasure the Angelus on radio and television. As a young Lutheran it does not have the same resonance for me that it does for many Irish Catholics, but I can still respect the wordless but eloquent daily gesture.

But I cannot respect people who want to destroy beautiful customs like the Angelus. Sweden is a very secular country, but we haven’t abandoned any of our Christian cultural institutions.

No one would accuse Swedish society of not being pluralist but we still have popular celebrations for feasts like St Walpurga, St John, St Lucy, St Sylvester, Annunciation, Easter, Pentecost, Ascension and Christmas, each with its unique customs and festivities. For example, Annunciation is the Swedish Waffle Day and St Sylvester’s feast day is the birthday of cats.

I am surprised at how few festivals are still kept in Ireland. A truly pluralist society not only welcomes new influences, but is also keen to cherish its own traditions and the Angelus is an integral part of the Irish and the Catholic tradition. My hope is Ireland will learn to be proud of its rich history and culture – for which it is loved all over Europe.

Dr Agnes Jonsson-Blomberg

Blåvalsgatan

Gothenburg

Sweden