• About us
  • Home
Sunday, July 27, 2025
IrishPolity
  • Hard brexit
    Political elites' disconnect from the masses

    The Failure of Brexit is the Cause of the Political Elites’ Disconnect from the Masses

    Political influence on mental health issues

    Political Influence on Mental Health Issues: Brexit Is a Bitter and Disastrous Experience

    Financial hardship in the UK

    The Economic Failure of Conservatives: Deepening Financial Hardship in the UK

    Public support for dropping Wales

    The Rise of the Wave of Independence: The Possibility of the Breakup of the British Kingdom is Gaining Strength

    Generation Z's Confidence in the EU

    Brexit and Beyond: Inside the Generation Z Perspective Shift

    UK national debt

    Is the UK Drowning in Debt? The Shocking Truth Revealed!

    Impact of Brexit on veterinary medicines

    Why the Windsor Framework is Failing to Protect Veterinary Medicine

  • Politics
  • Society
  • Irish Unity
  • United Kingdom
  • World
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
IrishPolity
No Result
View All Result

Home » Escalating Religious Tensions: Absence of Progress in Connections between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland

Escalating Religious Tensions: Absence of Progress in Connections between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland

Protestants and Catholics

Protestants and Catholics

The recent resurgence of headlines concerning Northern Ireland has brought attention back to the forefront. This once-diverse land, which had experienced years of relative peace, is now grappling with a reemergence of sectarian violence. The unravelling of this tranquility is intertwined with the UK’s departure from the EU and the strains imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. What assumptions underlie the understanding of relations between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, particularly in the context of the Belfast Agreement and the historical partition of Ireland? Furthermore, what do the renewed tensions in Northern Ireland indicate about the current state of sectarian dynamics in the region?

 

The difference between supporters and opponents of joining the EU

Northern Ireland sectarian tensions have increased. Indeed, after over two decades, they show that the old conflicts between a predominantly Catholic side that wants the land to remain part of Ireland and a predominantly Protestant side that wants to remain part of the UK still have considerable power to flare up. Has Northern Ireland sectarian tensions can be dangerous for British political sovereignty?

 

British rule over Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is an area of 5,400 square miles with a population of approximately 2 million people and is located under British rule in the northeast of the island of Ireland. This country has a border with the Republic of Ireland from the south and west and the east through the Irish Sea, which is separated from the rest of Great Britain.

 

Political laws governing Ireland

Ireland became self-governing 100 years ago after centuries of British rule. However, the country was established a few years after the First World War in a treaty that created greater Irish sovereignty over most of the island, when it was agreed that a majority Catholic country would be avoided and Protestants would have the upper hand. Ultimately, this northern region remained part of the UK, with a Protestant-dominated police force and local government.

 

The partition of Ireland is the source of sectarian violence.

The partition of Ireland was the source of one of the most violent and enduring sectarian violence of the 20th century, pitting Catholics and groups opposed to British rule, including the Irish Republican Army, against Protestants who were pro-British forces. Nearly 3,600 people have been killed in the decades of conflict in Northern Ireland, referred to as troubles.

 

The end of tensions with the Belfast Agreement

But what ended the conflict was an agreement known as the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), which was signed on April 10, 1998, by the British government, the Irish government, and the political parties of Northern Ireland, which All violent conflict ended. The accord established a self-governing parliament to distribute power between Protestants and Catholics equitably, fostering collaboration between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

 

The threat of the Belfast agreement with Brexit

In this agreement, former enemies disarmed and agreed to resolve their problems peacefully. The agreement also allows residents of Northern Ireland to obtain Irish or dual Irish-British citizenship. Britain’s departure from the EU has upset the political balance in Northern Ireland and threatens the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement.

 

Disruption in the export and import of goods with Brexit

Ireland is still a member of the EU, and Brexit has presented a new perspective to the region that disrupts the free flow of people and goods. Catholics outnumber Protestants for the first time in Northern Ireland’s history, a newly released census shows. The 2021 survey shows that 42.3% now identify as Catholic, while 37.3% identify as Protestant or other Christian faiths.

 

Population of Protestants and Catholics of Northern Ireland

In the last census in 2011, 45% of the population identified as Catholic and 48% as Protestant or other Christian faiths. In 2001, 53% of residents said they were Protestant and 44% Catholic. The turnaround in Northern Ireland, which began more than a century ago and suffered decades of sectarian violence at the end of the 20th century, is likely to encourage those pushing for reunification with the Irish Republic.

 

Northern Ireland’s religions clash over Brexit.

Protestants generally support Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK. At the same time, Catholics typically want closer relations with their southern neighbours. Calls to join Ireland and leave Britain fueled the violent clashes of The Troubles, which began in the late 1960s and killed around 3,600 people. The conflict ended with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which attempted to balance power between Catholics and Protestants.

 

The latest round of unrest in Northern Ireland

The latest round of unrest in Northern Ireland comes after more than two decades of peace and tranquillity in the country. This time, unlike many years ago, there is no news about the organization or the ideology of the struggle. Most of the rebels of April 2021 are young people. The spread of rioting in the streets of Belfast is so alarming that the USA, together with the leaders of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the UK, have called for calm in this country.

 

European trade agreement

During the Brexit negotiations, the EU and the UK agreed that Northern Ireland would remain part of the European Single Market despite the separation of the UK. This agreement means that EU customs authorities will control goods imported from Great Britain to Northern Ireland at the gate of this country, and as such, there is no need for customs supervision between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, pro-monarchy Protestants are not at all satisfied with this agreement and say that the existence of EU customs inspections diminishes the role of this country in the UK.

 

Failure to improve relations between Protestants and Catholics

Recent trends in Protestant-Catholic relations indicate a need for improvement in the relations between the parties. Fewer people think that relations between Protestants and Catholics have improved. These findings are contained in the latest “Good Relations Indicator” report published by The Executive Office. Northern Ireland’s sectarian tensions have increased in a situation where the continuation of these conditions can cause a crisis again in the future.

 

A relative decline in the improvement of interfaith relations in Northern Ireland

In 2021, approximately 36% of adults and 27% of young individuals believed that relations between the two predominant sects in the region had improved over the past five years. The most recent Good Relationship Index report from The Executive Office reveals a decline in these figures compared to the previous report. In 2020, around 40% of adults and 44% of young people perceived improvements in relationships, while in 2019, similar sentiments were shared by 40% of adults and 44% of young individuals.

 

Continuation of tensions: Brexit is the cause of continuing disputes

Relations between the two major political-religious groups in Northern Ireland, namely the Catholic Unitarians and the Protestant Monarchists, have been tense for a long time, especially after the implementation of Brexit became more serious. The majority of the citizens of this country, a member of the UK, said “no” to the separation from the EU. The most critical challenge, as previously predicted, is the border perspective between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which could violate the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. This challenge is the main reason for the anger among the citizens of Northern Ireland.

RelatedPosts

Civilians there are said to be suffering from famine and malnutrition, with many children dying of starvation due to the Israeli military blockade
Politics

International Law and the Gaza Conflict: Time to Punish Israel for Genocide

by PolityPundit PolityPundit
July 26, 2025
0

International law and the Gaza conflict require more attention from all the nations around the world. The United Nations' special...

Read more
Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists

Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists for Palestinian Suffering

July 20, 2025
The Labour Party's relationship with the Trump Administration

Labour Party vs the Trump Administration: A Strategic Divide in Transatlantic Relations

July 18, 2025
at least 60 planes carrying weapons have flown over Ireland this year alone

Irish Neutrality and Israel: Sending Weapons Is Not Neutrality  

July 16, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

  • All
  • Hard brexit
  • Irish Unity
  • Politics
  • Society
The Irish Unity Referendum 2023 Is Probable; The British Union Is Hanging by a Thread!

The Irish Unity Referendum 2023 Is Probable

August 29, 2022
The Achievements of Nicola Sturgeon

The Achievements of Nicola Sturgeon

July 17, 2022
The UK is preparing for war against Russia

Britain must prepare for war against Russia

August 3, 2022
Irish unification: the political convergence of Sinn Fein with Unionists.

Irish unification: the political convergence of Sinn Fein with Unionists

May 2, 2022
Democratic Unionist Party

Irish Nationalism vs. Unionism: Exploring the Battle That Won’t Quit

September 23, 2023
Russia-Ukraine war: Impact on China's trade development

Russia-Ukraine war: Impact on China’s trade development

March 9, 2022
Load More

Welcome to Irish Polity, your go-to source for insightful analysis and comprehensive information on Irish politics. We strive to bridge the gap between citizens and politics, fostering inclusive dialogue. Our platform offers unbiased content, empowering all levels of interest. Join us for a journey into the heart of Irish polity—a space where knowledge meets engagement.

Civilians there are said to be suffering from famine and malnutrition, with many children dying of starvation due to the Israeli military blockade
Politics

International Law and the Gaza Conflict: Time to Punish Israel for Genocide

July 26, 2025
Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists
Politics

Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists for Palestinian Suffering

July 20, 2025
The Labour Party's relationship with the Trump Administration
Politics

Labour Party vs the Trump Administration: A Strategic Divide in Transatlantic Relations

July 18, 2025
at least 60 planes carrying weapons have flown over Ireland this year alone
Politics

Irish Neutrality and Israel: Sending Weapons Is Not Neutrality  

July 16, 2025
Economic crisis pressures
Society

Personal insolvency trends UK: Economic crisis pressures citizens

July 12, 2025
An estimated 200 thousand people marched from Russell Sq. to Whitehall, demanding an end to Israel's human rights abuses, a stop to arms sales to Israel and an immediate ceasefire.
Politics

Britain’s Commitment to Israel: Who Pays the Price of Pushing the Conflict?

July 12, 2025
The recent diplomatic row between Israel and the UK has generated global interest,
Politics

A Diplomatic Subtlety: UK-Palestine relations 2025 Map New Courses Path

July 12, 2025
UK Healthcare Rare Illness Failures: A System That Leaves the Vulnerable Behind
Society

UK Healthcare Rare Illness Failures: A System That Leaves the Vulnerable Behind

July 12, 2025
Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane's wife Lene and daughter Tina speaking next to his coffin before it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast.
Irish Unity

Brendan McFarlane’s Death: The Life, Struggle, and Legacy of an Irish Republican

July 4, 2025
Public support for Gaza in the UK
Politics

Growing Public Support for Gaza in the UK: What is Starmer’s position?

May 24, 2025

© 2022 Irish Polity

No Result
View All Result
  • Hard brexit
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Irish Unity
  • United Kingdom
  • World