A Challenge to Democracy: Militant Catholicism in Ireland

Militant Catholicism emerged as a powerful force in 20th-century Ireland, advocating for a strictly Catholic society through lay organizations and political action. This history explores its significant role in shaping the Catholic Church's influence on Irish politics and society after independence, solidifying the Catholic-Irish identity and embedding moral codes into law. The movement also notably impacted the 1937 Constitution and the political landscape, influencing the ideologies of major parties like Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, and shaping social and economic policies.