Christianity came to Ireland by the early 5th century, and spread through the works of early missionaries such as Palladius and Saint Patrick. Most denominations of Christianity are organised on an all–Ireland basis which includes both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, 84.2% of the population adheres to the Roman Catholic Church. In Northern Ireland, the various branches of Protestantism collectively form a majority of the population. The single largest denomination in Northern Ireland is, however, the Roman Catholic Church which accounts for some 44% of the population.

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The Roman Catholic Church traces its lineage to the male apostles who, according to Christian teaching, were chosen by Christ to continue his teaching. The Christian Bible is the key holy book of the movement, which shares the principal beliefs of other traditions of Christianity.

The Catholic Church has a developed governance structure. The head of the Church is the Pope and Bishop of Rome. Clergy are called priests.

 

Lutheranism is a branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the 16th century German reformer Martin Luther. The Christian Bible is the key holy book of the Church, which shares the principal beliefs of other traditions of Christianity.Lutheranism is the largest religion in areas of Northern Europe and has a significant presence in North America and some African countries. Clergy are called pastors. 

With a history of 300 years in Ireland, the Lutheran Church in Ireland was re-founded in 1955 as a German-speaking Church. It covers the whole island of Ireland. The Church is centred in Dublin with a Church building and a hall. German Services are provided on a monthly or three-times-a-year base in eight other places, including Belfast. The centre of the community is the services, all of them followed by a tea and coffee. Several groups for children, youth and adults form the community. The Lutheran Church has an English Programme as well, as many Lutherans from other Countries are joining services and meetings. The Lutheran Church is member of the Irish Council of Churches, the Dublin Council of Churches, the Irish Council of Christians and Jews and the DCIF.

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Methodism began in England in the 18th century as a revival movement within the Anglican Church and was led chiefly by John Wesley and his brother Charles. The Christian Bible is the key holy book of the Church, which shares the principal beliefs of other traditions of Christianity.

The Church has approximately 75 million members worldwide. The Methodist Church in Ireland extends throughout the island and has its own governance structure.

Methodist clergy are called ministers.

 

The Church of Ireland belongs to the Anglican Communion, a world wide grouping of self-governing churches, including the Church of England. In Scotland and the United States, members are known as Episcopalians.

The Christian Bible is the key holy book of the Church, which shares the principal beliefs of other traditions of Christianity.

Clergy are usually called priests or deacons. Those in charge of parishes are usually described as rectors.

 

Orthodox Churches trace their roots to the twelve male apostles who, according to Christian teaching, were chosen by Christ to continue his teaching. The Orthodox movement comprises a group of independent churches that follow particular teachings, each having the right to elect its own leaders.

The Christian Bible is the key holy book of the Orthodox Churches, who share the principal beliefs of other traditions of Christianity.

The Orthodox movement is the largest Christian community in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, while it is the second largest Christian community in the world.

Clergy are referred to as priests.

 

Presbyterianism, a Christian movement, owes its origin to John Calvin, a 16th century French reformer.

The Christian Bible is the key holy book of the Presbyterian Traditions, who share the principal beliefs of other traditions of Christianity.

Presbyterianism is now a worldwide Christian movement. Clergy are called ministers.

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The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was founded in 1952 in Nigeria, following a divine revelation received by Reverend Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, a young man whose heart had been set ablaze with an unquenchable desire to personally encounter the Supreme Being, in spite of a prevailing environment of nature worship. The RCCG was set up on the basis of a unique, life transforming, generational encounter that led to a covenant between God and man: as long as the members of the RCCG remain obedient to God’s Word, the Lord had promised to always miraculously meet the needs of the Church. Rev Akindayomi remained faithful to this heavenly vision until he went to be with the Lord in 1980. He was immediately succeeded by the current General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, fondly called “Daddy G.O”, who with the help of Almighty God has taken the Ministry from level of growth to another. Pastor Adeboye has, to the glory of God, pursued vigorously the driving mission and motto viz: to make heaven; to take as many people as possible with you; to have a member of RCCG in every family of all nations; to make holiness our lifestyle; and, to plant churches throughout the world. As of today, RCCG has over 9 million members spread across over 50,000 parishes in 197 nations of the world…and still planting.