Sectarianism and Conflict

This chapter analyses the structure and legacy of sectarianism on the island, especially in Northern Ireland after partition. It is situated within wider conceptual discussions of sectarianism, which push definitions beyond prejudiced attitudes towards understanding it as an all-encompassing system that structures society, politics, and economics. It also considers the role of the churches in contributing to and addressing sectarianism. While it could be argued that churches served as ‘chaplains to the tribe’ in some instances, others within the churches developed sophisticated analyses of sectarianism and advocated for reconciliation. Early in the twenty-first century, inter-church relationships are at a historic high and some aspects of Northern Ireland’s sectarian structures have been transformed. But sectarianism persists, threatening the island’s fragile peace.