The Catholic Church and the Northern Ireland Troubles, 1968-1998

The study evaluates the role of the Catholic Church in mediating conflict during the Northern Irish Troubles, using archival material to uncover its impact on the conflict.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The historical narrative of the Irish Catholic Church during the Northern Irish Troubles has traditionally been crafted by Irish priests and bishops, with a focus on commemorative rather than analytical approaches. This study employs the Troubles as a case study to assess the role of the Catholic Church in mediating conflict. During this period, these priests and bishops frequently operated in the background, serving as intermediaries between the British government and republican paramilitaries, aiming to foster a peaceful resolution. However, this research extends its scope to examine the actions of the American, Irish, and English Catholic Churches, as well as the Vatican, to uncover the comprehensive impact of the Church on the Troubles. By conducting a critical analysis of previously overlooked state, Irish, and English Catholic Church archival material, this study offers a transformative perspective on the role of a religious institution in a contemporary conflict.

The historical narrative of the Irish Catholic Church during the Northern Irish Troubles has traditionally been crafted by Irish priests and bishops, with a focus on commemorative rather than analytical approaches. This study employs the Troubles as a case study to assess the role of the Catholic Church in mediating conflict. During this period, these priests and bishops frequently operated in the background, serving as intermediaries between the British government and republican paramilitaries, aiming to foster a peaceful resolution. However, this research extends its scope to examine the actions of the American, Irish, and English Catholic Churches, as well as the Vatican, to uncover the comprehensive impact of the Church on the Troubles. By conducting a critical analysis of previously overlooked state, Irish, and English Catholic Church archival material, this study offers a transformative perspective on the role of a religious institution in a contemporary conflict.

The historical narrative of the Irish Catholic Church during the Northern Irish Troubles has traditionally been crafted by Irish priests and bishops, with a focus on commemorative rather than analytical approaches. This study employs the Troubles as a case study to assess the role of the Catholic Church in mediating conflict. During this period, these priests and bishops frequently operated in the background, serving as intermediaries between the British government and republican paramilitaries, aiming to foster a peaceful resolution. However, this research extends its scope to examine the actions of the American, Irish, and English Catholic Churches, as well as the Vatican, to uncover the comprehensive impact of the Church on the Troubles. By conducting a critical analysis of previously overlooked state, Irish, and English Catholic Church archival material, this study offers a transformative perspective on the role of a religious institution in a contemporary conflict.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 232 x 154 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192871398