The Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Right Rev Paul Colton has described as "caricature" the view of suburbia as "a wilderness of secularisation."
Delivering the diocesan synod address in Rochestown, Co Cork, at the weekend, he said such a caricature "is not, in my view, well-founded. Yes, these parts of Irish society are in the midst of immense social and ideological flux; yes there is secularism; there is 'pick 'n' mix' religious adherence; there is pluralism, but I would also say this, God has not been abandoned."
He continued that "the mystery of life and living has not been rejected, and spirituality of one sort or another abounds.
"Some of the most profound theological discussions I have had have been in surprising places, such as at the edge of the sports field, at the gym, in the waiting lounge at the airport and at the endless round of civic events I have to go to. People are not against us," he said.
"On the contrary, in spite of the awful crises of our time in institutional religion, I come across immense goodwill towards Christianity and towards the Church of Ireland too," he said.
Controversially Bishop Colton also said lay presidency at the Eucharist would represent a fundamental break with Anglican tradition and practice. He also felt a debate on the issue now would be a "divisive distraction".
The debate "may indeed come, and we will all listen carefully to one another, but I don't believe now is the time for it," he said.