The Oxford History of British and Irish Catholicism, Volume IV: Building Identity, 1830-1913

Catholicism in Britain and Ireland experienced a revival after 1830, with civil rights for Catholics and a shared Catholic culture developing. However, four different religious configurations had evolved since the sixteenth-century Reformation, with Catholicism playing a vital role in all of them. Identities of religion, nation, and empire, and the intersection between them, lie at the heart of this volume, showing how Catholicism was integral to the history of the United Kingdom in this period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

After 1830, Catholicism in Britain and Ireland experienced a significant resurgence, characterized by a growing sense of security within the Church and the establishment of a national presence and public identity. This period marked a crucial turning point in the history of Catholicism in the region, as the Church was able to expand its influence and impact on society.

The passage of the Catholic Relief Act (Catholic Emancipation) in 1829 brought about civil rights for Catholics in the United Kingdom, granting them equal status with other religious groups. This landmark legislation paved the way for Catholic organizations to establish themselves in civil society and contribute to the development of Britain and its empire.

The Catholic revival that followed this period saw a renewed emphasis on central authority structures in Rome, leading to a more unified transnational spiritual empire centered around the Pope. At the same time, there was a revitalization at the local and popular level, with intensified sacramental, devotional, and communal practices. This revival brought Catholics in Britain and Ireland closer together, sharing common experiences and values as a result of the Church's global drive for renewal.

In the 1840s, the development of a shared Catholic culture across Britain and Ireland deepened further due to the large-scale migration from Ireland to many parts of Britain following the Great Famine of 1845. This migration brought a diverse range of religious and cultural traditions to the two islands, enriching the Catholic community and contributing to a sense of unity and uniformity.

However, alongside this push towards unity, there were also forces that differentiated Catholicism on either side of the Irish Sea. Since the sixteenth-century Reformation, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales had evolved into four distinct religious configurations, each with its own dynamic of faith and national identity. Catholicism played a vital role in all of these configurations, either as a minority religion or, in the case of Ireland, as the majority religion.

The identities of religion, nation, and empire, and the complex intersections between them, lie at the heart of this volume. The chapters explore these themes in depth, providing a comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural significance of Catholicism in Britain and Ireland.

The Catholic revival of the 1830s and 1840s was a period of significant growth and development for Catholicism in Britain and Ireland. It marked a turning point in the history of the Church, as it was able to expand its influence and impact on society, establish a national presence, and develop a shared Catholic culture. While there were forces that differentiated Catholicism on either side of the Irish Sea, the revival brought Catholics closer together and contributed to a sense of unity and uniformity. The identities of religion, nation, and empire, and the complex intersections between them, continue to shape the Catholic community in Britain and Ireland today.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198848196