Interrelations of religion and state in Ireland

Размещено на http://www.allbest.ru/

Vladimirskiy State University named after the Stoletov brothers

Interrelations of religion and state in Ireland

Linkova E.O.

The acute socio-political crisis in Northern Ireland still continues to rivet attention of world community. In what its reasons? The answer is covered in centuries-old history of fight of the Irish people against British, in artful policy of the London ruling circles on the principle "divide and dominate", in split of the country in 1921, in the tangled internal political and social and economic situation which developed as a result of it in the province which is nowadays the center of burning contradictions - economic, political, class, social, national, cultural, religious. Feature of history of Ireland is very close interlacing of religious contradictions with political and ethnic processes. National development of the country bears the impress of the colonial past when the policy of the English authorities purchased religious coloring, and the church began to play an active role in a management system. religious political ethnic ireland

It is possible to allocate several periods characterizing a role of a religious factor in political and public life of Ireland.

At a stage of decomposition of a primitive-communal system Irish, as well as other people, idolized forces of nature, stars, the woods, valleys, the rivers, streams. Also the assembly of demigods, the so-called sid reminding fairy godmothers was read. On representations of ancient Irish, sida actively interfered with life of people, were involved in battles, had affaires with people, by various methods helped them. Irish also trusted in a set of the spirits realized in various beings in pledges, prohibitions and spells, dreams and different signs. An important role in public life of pagan Ireland was played by priests - magicians and prophets who, as well as at Celts of Gallia, were called druids.

In the course of decomposition of a primitive-communal system and folding of the feudal relations among the nobility the Christianity began to purchase the increasing popularity. In distribution of Christianity on the island missionary activities of Patrick (373 - 463) announced subsequently by Catholic church the Saint had important value. In 432 - 1152 in the country there was an independent "Celtic church" which had the peculiar lines distinguishing it from orders and customs, traditional for Catholicism. Its organization was adapted for a clan system, and spiritual positions became monopoly of certain families. The diocese of the bishop usually matched the clan territory, and he was elected from people pleasing to the leader and the clans connected by patrimonial bonds with members. The celibacy (a clergy celibacy) wasn't observed, parsons lived in clans and submitted a local custom more, than to orders of Catholic hierarchy. Bishops didn't address to Rome for statement in the positions which are due to the father payments for spiritual benefices were going irregularly. Leaders often appropriated church property and the income, and also assessed clergy with requisitions, regular for laymen. In 1152-1531 "the Celtic church" was replaced by Catholicism of feudal type acting as the ally of the English expansion. At the end of the 11th century papacy influence considerably increased in Western Europe. The Irish church became one of objects of its theocratic policy pursued under the sign of "clarification and unity". The synod in Kellsa in 1152 recognized domination of the father over the Irish church, condemned marriages among clergy and concubinage (extramarital relationship), announced tithe a church exaction, obligatory for all, confirmed independence of Catholic clergy of requisitions and jurisdiction of temporal powers and created four archbishoprics - Armagh, Dublin,Kashel and Tuam, having left a seniority behind the archbishopric of Armagh.

In three years after the synod in Kellsa to Rome the ambassador of the English king Henry II Plantagenet with a request arrived to permit to conquer Ireland and to finish subordination of the Irish church.

The first invasion of the English colonialists on the territory of Ireland took place in 1169. Especially the gain after 1485 became more active. When Henry VIII, having torn with Rome in 1534 became the head of Anglican church, and in England the state belief was established - the Protestantism capture of Ireland began to be followed by violent planting of Protestant belief, and also mass confiscation of lands at Catholic Irish and settling their Protestants.

In the 18th century in hands of the Catholic population of Northern Ireland there was only the one seventh part of the earth.

According to the adopted legal acts, Catholics were disfranchised also opportunities to be elected to parliament and municipal authorities, to receive a profession, to hold positions in army, the fleet, to move ahead on service, to carry arms. They couldn't open school or study in it, they were forbidden even to sing national songs and dances. Catholics were deprived of a possibility of the edition and sale of books, newspapers, were assessed with the specific taxes. Thus, from the very beginning of capture of Ireland the basis for the policy pursued by the English colonialists it was the principle "share and dominate" on religious, national and class signs. The adopted laws directed against the Catholic population of Ireland deprived of it not only the political, but also elementary human rights, strengthening split on religious grounds. Privileges were received only by the one who accepted Protestant religion. Despite it, the Irish peasants remained adherents of Catholic church, many Anglo-Irish lords, the Irish leaders were Catholics also. So in Ireland after reformation two churches appeared: one - foreign, official, another - pursued by the English authorities, but recognized by most of inhabitants of the island.

The period of 1782-1916 was characterized by adaptation of the Catholic church exercising control in the sphere of spiritual life of the majority of the population to colonial orders. The Protestantism holding considerable political positions continued to play a role of a support of the British domination. In 1916-1972 Catholicism in the south and Protestantism in the north thanks to efforts of bourgeois and nationalist circles received the status of official, exclusive religions, fixing by that an artificial partition of Ireland. Planned in 60 - the beginning of the 70th years of the 20th century signs of weakening of religious barriers didn't gain the development in the conditions of an aggravation of crisis in Northern Ireland.

In 1966 representatives of the Irish labor unions together with labourists of Northern Ireland during the meeting with ministers of the unionist government offered the joint memorandum of "The right of citizens of Northern Ireland" to which the main requirements connected with carrying out the electoral reform, inclusion of representatives of Catholic minority in the bodies appointed by the government, elimination of discrimination on a religious or political basis in questions of employment, the dwelling, etc. were developed.

The meeting with representatives of a government office showed that the unionist government doesn't intend to reckon with the growing movement of masses in the country, with the demands made by the authoritative and influential organizations. In 1969 the government made the decision on a spolzovaniye of troops against protesters in Northern Ireland where during the rekh of days svatka of fighters for the civil laws against police proceeded.

It the decision marked a new stage in development of a political crisis in Northern Ireland. In 1971 in the country the law on internment according to which authorities can not only perform arrests extrajudicially was entered, but also imprison arrested or banish in concentration camps without specific accusations. As a result considerably the number of arrested increased. The working class first of all suffered from terror and violence. 90% of the killed in Northern Ireland were representatives of working class. Bulk of detainees also working.

Public life of Northern Ireland still continues to keep a confessional cover. The policy of administration and Protestant unionist batches promoting it is exposed to sharp criticism from the progressive organizations and liberal public figures. Success of fight for the civil laws, for social progress for all population of Northern Ireland substantially depends on that how soon and how effectively they will manage to destroy artificially created religious barrier.

Not Chalcedonian Eastern Churches. The Armenian Apostolic Church is provided in Iceland by a community in Dublin (from 100 to 300 people) as a part of an episkostvo of Great Britain and Ireland. The Coptic Church in Iceland unites about 1 thousand believers living in Dublin, Kere and Galway. Communities are in jurisdiction of Coptic episcopacy of Ireland, Scotland, Northeast England and the adjacent territories. The Malankarsky Church in Iceland has receipts in Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Cork, Sligo, Droeda and totals about 3-5 thousand believers, generally emigrants from India.

Islam. According to a population census of 2006, about 33 thousand Muslims, from them over 55% - migrants from the countries of Asia or Africa, over 30% - indigenous Irish live in Iceland. At the beginning of the 21st century the Federation of Islamic student's communities has been founded. In 2003 by efforts of the Islamic cultural center to Irish have for the first time translated the Koran. In 2006 the Irish union of imams is organized,in its list of 14 Muslim priests both Sunni,and Shiite it is sensible.

Judaism. In Iceland the small Jewish diaspora living in the basic in the large cities judaizes. Total of Jews - about 2 thousand people.

Hinduism. About 6 thousand Hindus live in Iceland; growth of number of adherents of this religion happens due to popularity of Neo-Hindu sects. In Dublin the Indian cultural center works.

Buddhism. The 20th century extending in Iceland from 60th, more than 6 thousand people Since 1998 in Dublin profess there is a Buddhist center. Sikhism. It is widespread in Iceland among natives of the Indian state of Punjab (from 800 to 1 thousand people). Governing body of Sikhs in Iceland is the Supreme Sikh Council.

New religious movements. Are presented by the Neopagan organizations trying to recreate pre-Christian beliefs, such as Wicca, and also a druidizm and the Celtic polytheism. Supporters of the Celtic traditsa. beliefs though aren't numerous, but are very active: for the last 2 decades growth of popularity of similar movements among the intellectuals focused on revival of the Celtic ethnic originality is observed. The total of followers of traditional and Neopagan cults makes from 3 to 5 thousand persons. In addition followers of Bahai Faith whose number, as of 2006, makes about 500 people treat the new religious movements.

References

1. Мелетинский Е. М. Кельтский эпос История всемирной литературы: В 8 томах / АН СССР; Ин-т мировой лит. им. А. М. Горького. -- М.: Наука, 1983-- 1994.Т. 2. -- 1984. -- С. 460--467.

2. Сапрыкин Ю.М. Культура Ирландии в период раннего средневековья История Ирландии: Мысль, 1980.

3. Саруханян А. П., К вопросу об англо-ирландских лит. связях XVIII--XIX вв., в кн.: Из истории лит. связей XIX в., М., 1962.

4. Шутова А.В., Косилкин С.В. Институт свободы совести в Европе: история и современность./ Свобода совести в России. М.2004.

Размещено на Allbest.ru