Eucharistic Congress
Objectives What I will learn: Why Fianna Fail prioritised the Congress. Describe the Eucharistic Congress and the events Evaluate the success of the event
Can you guess what the Eucharistic Congress is? So the Eucharistic Congress was a meeting of Catholics
So what was the Eucharistic Congress? An international Catholic religious festival bringing together clergy, religious and laity from all over the world. Congresses have been organised by the Papal Committee to increase devotion to the Eucharist as a part of the practice of faith, and as a public witness of faith to society at large.
So how did it end up in Ireland? The Congress was the idea of the Cumann na nGaedheal government but took place after Fianna Fail won the 1932 General Election The st International Eucharistic Congress was held in Dublin, 21-26 June, 1932.
How did the 1920 Government of Ireland Act influence identity in the country? Partition reinforced separatism in terms of religious and political identity. The South made more of an effort to accommodate Protestants and make them feel welcome in comparison to the North. Protestant unionists were appointed to the Senate including WB Yeats and Sir Horace Plunkett. Protestant property although valuable wasn’t taken and Protestants were given jobs in important positions. Mayo Librarian 1931.
Were politicians devout Catholics? Yes – they were but they didn’t feel that religion has to influence every decision they made. De Valera and the anti-treaty side had been excommunicated during the Civil War but they just ignored this.
How would declining morals influence the government and their policies? Post WW1 – people were celebrating the end of the war. In America and England, the influence of the Jazz Age was substantial. It promoted loose morals and drinking. Prohibition made people want to drink more and this is evident in the reaction to the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1927.
Media The radio and creation of sensationalist newspapers, films and magazines were influencing people’s morals decisions.
Dance Halls These were becoming more popular and were thought to be encouraging deviant behaviour. The fashion changed for women as well and comfortable but less ‘appropriate clothing was worn’.
Vote for Women and Women’s Liberation Women got the vote in Ireland in 1918 (30 and owned land) lead by Hanna Sheefy Skeffington. By 1922 all women over 21 could vote.
What did the government do to tackle moral issues? 1923 Film Censorship 1924 Public Houses hours reduced and the Intoxicating Liqour Act 1927 saw the reduction of public houses
Morals 1929 – Censorship Board – books and magazines 1935 dance halls supervised by priests 1935 contraception outlawed.
Divorce Outlawed Up to 1922 wealthy people could get a divorce by going through Westminster. While it was not outlawed in 1922, it just wasn’t permitted. De Valera outlawed it in 1937 saying it was damaging the family and the country.
Details Congresses were often linked with anniversaries or other events special to Christians and in particular to Catholics of the country in which they took place. The 31st Congress in Dublin commemorated the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Why was this event important to Ireland and Fianna Fail? This was the first time Ireland was on show to the world in such as large capacity. Radio meant that events such as these could be broadcasted around the world. Ireland had more pressure on them. Religious leaders from around the world were coming to Ireland. They would then pass on the information to their counterparts.
What did people do to get the country ready?
Cardinal Lorenzo Lauri – papal representative on behalf on Pope Pious XI