This book discusses the history of the Church of Ireland and the Catholic Church and their Episcopal leaders in the period from 1949 to 1973. It considers the opening years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and their impact on the main churches, and also the relationships between these churches and the two states in Ireland. It also looks at the development of inter-church relations and ecumenism, and offers a new perspective on North-South relations and the causes of religious division. Based on highly original and very comprehensive research, the book offers fascinating insights into the recent past of these key Irish institutions.

It will be welcomed by students and teachers of twentieth century and contemporary Irish history, as well as those interested in the political landscape of Ireland today.

List of figures and tables
Acknowledgements
Terminology and abbreviations
Introduction
1. ‘Hands across the Border must be the unfailing principle of our common Church life’: The Church of Ireland and the border
2. ‘The indivisible island’: The Catholic Church and the border
3. ‘A confident minority’: The Church of Ireland and the Irish state
4. Standing with the people: The Catholic Church and the Northern Ireland state
5. ‘That they may be one’: Inter-church relations and religious borders in Ireland
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Index