Catholic emancipation was a light to the world, we must celebrate it

Just four years from now, these islands will mark the bicentenary of Catholic emancipation. We’re used to seeing it almost exclusively as an Irish celebration, but we shouldn’t forget that the act as well as a huge breakthrough for Catholics in Britain, was the first great measure of Westminster reform of the 19th Century.

The marking of such an important occasion is a strange omission from the list of events that the new programme for government commits the State to celebrate, particularly given that the incoming Government has vowed to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

It would be a pity if the Church here did not commit to an important programme of events to mark the 1929 bicentenary, especially since just three years after that we will see the 1,600th anniversary of the arrival of St Patrick.

History

We take religious liberty and equality before the law for granted in 2025, but it wasn’t always thus – and we can and should recall that fact. Catholic emancipation was a pivotal movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to dismantle the legal and social restrictions imposed on Catholics in both Britain and Ireland from the Reformation onwards. The culmination of this movement was the Roman Catholic Relief Act (1829), which significantly transformed the political and social landscape for Catholics. Catholic emancipation had a profound impact for Catholics in Britain and Ireland, particularly on their civil liberties, political participation, and social integration.

To set the scene, following the Reformation, a series of penal laws were enacted in Britain and Ireland that severely restricted the rights of Catholics. These laws prohibited Catholics from – among other things – purchasing land, holding civil or military offices, sitting in parliament, inheriting property, and practicing their religion freely without incurring civil penalties. The intent, of course, was to suppress Catholicism and ensure Protestant dominance in political and social spheres. This was largely successful in Britain and Catholics were reduced to a negligible minority. In Ireland, however, the Reformation was a substantial failure and the vast majority of people held to their faith, at huge cost.

This event intensified the push for emancipation”

Like all great reforms, the journey toward Catholic emancipation was gradual and fraught with challenges. Initial relief came with the 1778 Papists Act, which allowed Catholics to own property and inherit land. Further progress was made with the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1791, permitting the free practice of Catholicism under certain conditions. In Ireland, the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1793 granted Catholics the right to vote and access to most civil offices, marking a significant breakthrough.

Two years later, what was to become the national seminary at Maynooth. was opened as the Royal College of St Patrick. But, before one thinks this an act of generous benevolence, the opening of Maynooth arose out of a concern that if Catholic priests continued to be educated on the Continent, they may imbibe some of the zeal of the French Revolution and disturb the peace of the British Empire. Better, it was felt, to be able to keep an eye on them: close enough to Dublin to supervise, but far enough away not to have any influence.

A key moment occurred in 1828 when Daniel O’Connell, ‘the liberator’, won a by-election in Co. Clare but was barred from taking his seat in parliament due to his Catholic Faith. This event intensified the push for emancipation, eventually leading to the passage of the 1829 act. This landmark legislation allowed Catholics to sit as members of parliament and hold most public offices, although certain high-ranking positions remained restricted.

Reflection

So, why is it important to mark the bicentenary both in Ireland as well as in Britain? Well, the importance of Catholic emancipation for Catholics in Britain and Ireland cannot be overstated. Politically, it enfranchised a significant portion of the population that had been excluded from the political process. Catholics could now participate in governance, influence legislation, and advocate for their interests within the political system. This inclusion fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged active citizenship among Catholics, particularly in Britain – in Ireland, it provided leaders of the nationalist movement bolstered by the achievement.

Socially, emancipation facilitated the integration of Catholics into broader society. The removal of legal disabilities reduced religious discrimination and allowed Catholics to pursue careers in various professions, including law, education, and the military. This integration helped to break down sectarian barriers in Britain and promoted social cohesion.

Religiously, the ability to practice their Faith openly without fear of legal repercussions was a profound change for Catholics. It affirmed their religious identity and allowed for the public expression of their beliefs, contributing to a more pluralistic and tolerant society.

These gains were slow and uneven, and discrimination persisted in employment and access to resources”

Daniel O’Connell reflected on the achievement, stating, “It is my boast that Catholic emancipation, and every achievement of my political life was obtained without violence and bloodshed.” This sentiment underscores the peaceful means by which emancipation was achieved and its profound impact on Irish society.

Reactionary responses to Catholic emancipation arguable contributed to the atmosphere were Catholics were widely discriminated against following the foundation of Northern Ireland in the 1920s. The passage of the act was met with significant resistance from the Protestant community in Ireland. Though a tiny minority, Protestants had almost exclusive control of the professions and the historic dispossession of Catholics that followed the Reformation had hugely enriched Protestant families. Fearing that Catholic political empowerment could undermine Protestant interests and threaten the union with Britain, Protestants organised to protect their dominance. The Orange Order, founded in 1795, became more vocal and active in its defence of Protestant supremacy. Irish Protestant reaction to Catholic emancipation deepened sectarian divides in Ulster, where unionists were in a majority. Ulster Protestants sought to counterbalance what they perceived as a rising Catholic threat, thus in discussions about ‘home rule’ Protestants in the north were determined to become dominant.

The ability of Catholics in what was to become Northern Ireland to pursue professional careers and engage more fully in public life created opportunities for upward mobility. However, these gains were slow and uneven, and discrimination persisted in employment and access to resources, particularly in predominantly Protestant towns and cities like Belfast. This discrimination was institutionalised at the time of partition, encapsulated in the famous words of the north’s first prime minister that Stormont was a “Protestant parliament for a Protestant people”.

Transformation

Overall, Catholic emancipation was a watershed moment for Catholics in Britain and Ireland. It marked the transition from a period of systemic discrimination to one of increased civil rights and social inclusion. The movement not only transformed the lives of Catholics but also contributed to the broader development of a more equitable and pluralistic society.

More broadly, the legislative change was a significant step toward equality and inclusivity in British society, one that would undoubtedly be marked across the water in 2029 – it would be a pity indeed if a one-dimensional view of our history, that sees the Church merely as a 20th Century power broker, means the State does not have the maturity to reflect on and mark the momentous occasion that was Catholic emancipation, not just on these islands – but as a beacon for the world.

At a time when religious freedom is under threat in many parts of the world, shining a light on the fight for freedom in Ireland would be a service to oppressed people everywhere.