Space, the universe and everything: listening to visitors to the Luxmuralis son et lumiere installation at Liverpool Cathedral in 2022

ABSTRACT

High profile (and sometimes controversial) events and installations have drawn attention to innovation and public engagement within Anglican cathedrals. One strong category of such events and installations has promoted clear engagement with scientific themes. Taking the Luxmuralis son et lumiere installation, Space, the Universe and Everything, as an example of such engagement, the present study examined the demographic and religious profile of 283 visitors to this installation at Liverpool Cathedral and explored their views on the connection between science and religion. The data demonstrated that 94% of the participants agreed that a cathedral is an ideal place for this type of installation. Reflecting on their experience of the installation in Liverpool Cathedral, 73% agreed that we need both science and religion in our lives.

KEYWORDS:

• Cathedral studies
• sacred space
• visitor studies
• science and religion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee for the School of Humanities, Religion and Philosophy at York St John University (approval code: HRP-RS-AV-05-22-01). All participants had to affirm they were 18 or over and give their informed consent by clicking a box that gave access to the rest of the survey.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mike Kirby

Mike Kirby has worked within the NHS as a Radiotherapy Physicist at the Christie and Royal Preston Hospitals; and academically at Liverpool and Manchester Universities. He is a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool, teaching and supervising UG and PG therapeutic radiographers; at Manchester he is an honorary lecturer, supervising at doctoral level, Clinical Scientists (Medical Physics) training for Consultant roles in the NHS. He holds membership of Radiotherapy/Medical Physics professional bodies in the UK, Europe and the USA. He is a Fellow of the British Institute of Radiology, organising research, meetings, webinars and international conferences on Radiotherapy and Oncology. Since ordination, has held positions at the Cathedrals of Blackburn, Chester and Liverpool, where he is presently the Canon Scientist.

Leslie J. Francis

Leslie J. Francis is Professor of Religions, Psychology and Education and Co-Director of the World Religions and Education Research Unit at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, England, and Professor Emeritus of Religions and Psychology at the University of Warwick, England. He also serves as Canon Theologian at Liverpool Cathedral, England, and as Honorary Distinguished Canon at Manchester Cathedral, England. Previously he has served as Canon Theologian at Bangor Cathedral, Wales, and as Canon Theologian at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Newfoundland.

Andrew Village

Andrew Village is Professor of Practical and Empirical Theology at York St John University. He researches in the psychology of religion as well as congregational and clergy studies. He trained as an ecologist before serving in parish ministry in Peterborough and Bangor. Recent studies include surveys of clergy and lay people during the COVID-19 pandemic.