Over the weekend, more than 1,600 people gathered in the ExCel Centre in London for an Evangelisation conference on the Bible, organised by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. Addressing the large crowd at the keynote address on Friday evening, Bishop Barron spoke in a tone of optimism in the spirit Pope Francis’ declaration of the Jubilee as a year of hope by highlighting the growing curiosity about the Bible and religious matters emerging even within secular circles.
“Something is shifting in this world. New atheism is making people ask: Where does that lead me? Young people are now searching for meaning,” he remarked.
As evidence of this shift, Barron referenced the growing popularity of Canadian-Psychologist Jordan Peterson (whom he shared the same stage with only days previous at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference) who’s lectures on the psychology of the bible are attracting thousands of attendees in person and millions of viewers online. His influence, Barron suggested, reflects a broader hunger for spiritual depth that is resurfacing in unexpected places.
Star Wars
One of the highlights of the conference was an ecumenical panel discussion between Bishop Barron and Anglican New Testament scholar NT Wright, moderated by podcaster and Evangelical broadcaster Justin Brierley. Both speakers noted a growing openness among younger generations and emphasised that the Churches must seize this opportunity to reintroduce their message in a compelling way, rather than retreating from the perceived “unrelatability” of biblical narratives. “If kids can tell you every detail and subplot of the Star Wars story, don’t tell me they can’t understand the Bible,” Bishop Barron remarked.
Irish
Over 30 Irish attendees at the conference gathered on Saturday for a dedicated Irish gathering, where they reflected on the impact Word on Fire has had on their personal faith and parish communities back home. The discussion also explored how the movement’s distinctive ethos—marked by smart, coherent apologetics—could contribute to revitalising missionary efforts in contemporary Ireland.
