In 1987, the church’s total assets in Dublin alone amounted to £100 million. It owned 234 churches, 473 houses, 713 schools, and 100 community centres in Dublin. In 1979, in the middle of appalling poverty, they spent £2.5 million on the Pope’s visit! As well as it’s wealth; it has a massive amount of control in State institutions.
The Catholic Church worked hand in glove with the British government, while engaging in nationalist posturing to keep its credibility with the masses, and after 1921 worked to prop up the weak Irish ruling class. The upturn in the Irish economy in the 1960’s and 70’s led to an increase in the number of women working outside the home, and combined with the Irish women’s movement, led to a slight weakening in the church’s position.
The Free State government and the weak Irish ruling class fell into the power of the church. The Bishops recognised the “legitimate government” and attacked republicans for “causing criminal damage”. After the civil war, both the anti-treaty and pro were in the palm of its hand. The Censorship of Films act was passed in 1923, in 1924 the Intoxicating Liquor Act, and in 1925 divorce was outlawed.
Edward de Valera made the Catholic rules. He made laws in the Irish Free State i.e. divorce was illegal. This made the Protestants fearful. They knew that if the links with Britain were to be cut off, the North would have to live by the rules of the South. The unionists feared Catholics being in charge of the North - as they were enemies, and the Unionists/Protestants would be unfairly treated.
The Catholic Church also had the following effects on the daily life of the South
1929 – A censorship board was established to ‘obscene’ books and that recommending contraception.
1937 – The new constitution recognises the ‘special position’ of the Catholic Church, which was withdrawn in 1932 as a concession to Protestants.
1951 – Bishops stopped the new health care system for mothers and babies.
1979 – Contraceptives were legalised, but only for married couples with a doctors’ prescription.
All these laws would apply to the Unionists if they were to be part of a united Ireland. This made the unionists petrified of being ruled by the South.
The Catholic Church was a dominant force in the South after the partition. In the republic, only catholic schools were allowed government funding, non-catholic schools had to raise their own money. This also scared the unionists. If they had to become part of a united Ireland, they would also have to raise their own money without government funding within schools.
