Conflict, Controversy, and Co-operation: The Irish Council of Churches and 'The Troubles' 1968-1972

This is the story of the Irish Council of Churches between 1968 and 1972, the first four years of 'The Troubles'. It contains important new material and traces the first formal contacts between the Irish Council of Churches, its member churches, and the Roman Catholic Church. This book discusses in detail a hitherto largely unpublicized Catholic and Protestant body, set up in confidence to advise church leaders on the developing crisis in Northern Ireland. As a body it considered and took action on highly contentious issues like Catholic grievances. Protestant fears, and allegations of police and prison brutality. These proved to be ground-breaking days for ecumenism as the Northern Ireland crisis came to the boil and Protestant and Catholic relations in Ireland took important steps forward.