Re-member Theology: A Theopoetical Reading of Three Irish Poets

Abstract

This dissertation explores the healing possibilities of engaging poetry and theology in Ireland, with broader implications for Western Christianity. It attends to the transformative contributions of three Irish women's poetry, each shaped by their diversely Catholic upbringing. The study focuses on poetry from the last 40 years and addresses two main concerns: the meaning of reading poetry theologically and how such readings can enhance Irish theology. The research interprets Ireland's cultural, social, and religious narratives within reflective frameworks based on lived experiences, wherein personal experiences with poetry guide the research and analysis. The study argues that theology is most impactful when it critically reflects on its forms and communicates meaningfully, akin to poetry's properties. It also discusses the historical racialisation of Irish people and the ongoing challenges and benefits of engaging with religious discourse in Ireland, advocating for nuanced, reflective, and compassionate theological approaches. It also points out the limitations of academic theology, suggesting that it can benefit from the ambiguous qualities of poetry.

The multi-disciplinary methodology incorporates literary analysis, theological reflection, cultural critique, and creative practice. It engages with Catholic theology while drawing on various theological frameworks, including liberation theology, feminist perspectives, and theopoetics, with an aim to develop a critical, contextual theology for Ireland. The findings reveal a scarcity of contemporary contextual theology in Ireland and the potential of Irish poetry to enrich theological discourse by emphasising the sacred and relational aspects of existence. The dissertation concludes by stressing the importance of vulnerability in theological discourse and the value of interdisciplinary engagement with poetry.