The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has criticised the misuse of Christianity by social media influencers, accusing them of distorting its message to “foment discord” rather than promoting harmony. Speaking at a Christmas carol service in Ardee Community School, Co Louth, Archbishop Eamon called for positive Catholic role models to counteract negative influences online.
“You will often find that religion is hijacked by groups for their own purposes and the message of Christianity is distorted in particular dimensions,” he said, emphasising the importance of adhering to the gospel's teachings of harmony, reconciliation, forgiveness, love, and charity.
His comments come amid public attention on posts by figures like MMA star Conor McGregor, who has made several faith-related statements on social media. When asked about McGregor’s influence on young men, Archbishop Eamon stressed the need for more constructive Catholic voices to “out-influence the negative influencers”.
“Sadly, it has been the case for many, many years. We don’t have to look beyond our own country to see how sometimes religion or denominations can be used to foment discord rather than harmony,” he said.
While the archbishop did not directly name McGregor, the athlete’s recent social media activity has sparked controversy following a jury’s verdict in a civil case against him. McGregor, who was ordered to pay €250,000 in damages and over €1 million in legal costs, has made faith-laden posts, including: “Fight evil with the cross” and “God has chosen me and I accept!”
The most senior figure of the church in Ireland acknowledged that most people can discern between genuine faith and the misappropriation of religious symbols on social media. However, he emphasised the Church’s responsibility to clarify its teachings, ensuring that the true message of Jesus Christ is not overshadowed by misrepresentation.
“The cult of the celebrity has now transitioned into the world of social media,” Archbishop Eamon said, adding that the Church must actively engage online to counteract negativity and promote its values.
He cited actor Mark Wahlberg and American bishop Robert Barron, a popular YouTuber, as examples of individuals using their platforms to authentically share their faith. He urged the Catholic community to encourage more voices like theirs to resonate with younger generations.
