Freedom and the Fifth Commandment : Catholic Priests and Political Violence in Ireland, 1919–21

The guerrilla war waged between the IRA and the crown forces from 1919 to 1921 was a pivotal episode in the modern history of Ireland. This book addresses the War of Independence from a new perspective by focusing on the attitude of a powerful social elite: the Catholic clergy. The close relationship between Irish nationalism and Catholicism was put to the test when a pugnacious new republicanism emerged after the 1916 Easter rising. When the IRA and the crown forces became involved in a guerrilla war from 1919 onwards, priests had to define their position anew. Using a wealth of source material, much of it new, this book assesses the clergy’s response to political violence. It describes how the image of shared victimhood at the hands of the British helped to contain tensions between the clergy and the republican movement, and shows how the links between Catholicism and Irish nationalism were sustained. 'The guerilla war waged between the IRA and the crown forces between 1919 and 1921 was a pivotal episode in the modern history of Ireland. This book addresses the War of Independence from a new perspective by focusing on the attitude of a group of non-combatants with unrivalled influence in Irish society: the Catholic clergy. Strong links had been forged between Irish nationalism and Catholicism during the nineteenth century, but the clergy had always resisted the use of 'physical force' by separatist nationalists. The relationship was put to the test when home rule politics yielded to a new and pugnacious republicanism after the 1916 Easter rising. When the IRA and the crown forces became involved in a guerilla war from 1919 onwards, priests had to define their position anew.Using a wealth of source material drawn from Irish, British and overseas archives, including the Bureau of Military History's witness statements and a wide range of church archives, this book assesses the clergy's response to political violence. Its focus is on the parish level, revealing divisions between priests and showing how local clerical attitudes influenced involvement in the war. Paying close attention to the importance of publicity, it demonstrates that bishops and priests proved themselves skilled public relations managers...' --Back cover The guerilla war waged between the IRA and the crown forces between 1919 and 1921 was a pivotal episode in the modern history of Ireland. This book addresses the War of Independence from a new perspective by focusing on the attitude of a powerful social elite: the Catholic clergy. The close relationship between Irish nationalism and Catholicism was put to the test when a pugnacious new republicanism emerged after the 1916 Easter rising. When the IRA and the crown forces became involved in a guerilla war between 1919 and 1921, priests had to define their position anew. Using a wealth of source material, much of it newly available, this book assesses the clergy's response to political violence. It describes how the image of shared victimhood at the hands of the British helped to contain tensions between the clergy and the republican movement, and shows how the links between Catholicism and Irish nationalism were sustained. Front matter Dedication Contents List of figures and tables Acknowledgements List of abbreviations and note on spelling Map: Ecclesiastical provinces and dioceses of Ireland, 1919–21 Introduction Part I Obeying the law of God In the old groove: traditional political alignments The Fifth Commandment and the brand of Cain: condemnation from the pulpit Interfering where they shouldn’t: interaction with republicans Part II Republican priests Sinn Féin priests: support for Sinn Féin, the Dáil and local IRA units Aiding and abetting: priests involved in the IRA campaign Troublesome priests: responses to clerical support for republicanism Part III The clergy and the crown Priest and victim: British measures against the clergy The reign of frightfulness: clerical responses to the British campaign Preserving the peace: mediation, relief work and political activism Epilogue Appendices Bibliography Index