From Our Correspondent
Hinduism is one of the fastest growing religions in Ireland and it grew over 34 per cent from 2011 to 2016, according to Census 2016 Summary Results by Central Statistics Office (CSO) of Government of Ireland reportedly published on April six.
Only other religion which grew faster than Hinduism during this period was Orthodox. Religious groups whose population declined during this period included Roman Catholics (the predominant religious group in the country), Church of Ireland, Christian, Presbyterian and Apostolic or Pentecostal. “No religion” grew by nearly 74 per cent numbering 468,421 people with no religion, while “Not stated” also grew by about 72 per cent. Number of Irish Catholics fell by 105,800; this results report indicates.
Per this report, which presents the first results of the 2016 census which was held on April 24 last year, there are 14,300 Hindus now in Ireland.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commending the Irish Hindu community for their contributions to the society and nation in Ireland; urged them to continue with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc.; amidst so many distractions.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, advised Hindus to focus on inner search, stay pure, explore the vast wisdom of scriptures, make spirituality more attractive to youth and children, stay away from the greed, and always keep God in the life.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents, and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Pádraig Dalton is the Director General of CSO, established in 1949 and headquartered in Cork. The first census in Ireland was carried out in 1821.
