For over 10,000 years the ancient peoples of Ireland celebrated their polytheistic pagan religion. The adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire led to a rapid spread of the Universal (Catholic) Church of Rome throughout the territories of the Empire. Ireland was never part of the Roman Empire. Why and how did Ireland become a Christian country?

Saint Patrick is probably the most famous person associated with Ireland. He is recognized as having played a major role in the Christianization of Ireland. Patrick was not Irish.

He was kidnapped in Britain by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave at age sixteen. He escaped after six years. He returned as a bishop in his forties and spent twenty-five years ministering to some of the Christian community in Ireland - mostly foreign slaves, asylum seekers, and refugees - and helped to convert some indigenous Irish.

This course will examine…