Faith and Foreign Policy: The Catholic Roots of Irish Neutrality

Irish neutrality is often described in strategic, political, or constitutional terms. Yet, beneath the formal mechanisms of non-alignment lies a deeper cultural and moral heritage that has shaped Ireland’s cautious approach to international military alliances, its Roman Catholic tradition. From the early days of independence through the Cold War and into modern European defence debates, Catholic social teaching, ecclesiastical influence, and moral doctrine have significantly informed the Irish public’s resistance to militarism, contributing to a national identity rooted in peace, humanitarianism, and sovereignty.

This article explores how Catholic values, particularly those related to just war theory, non-violence, and anti-imperialism, have underpinned Irish neutrality. It argues that religious ethics, though often overlooked in policy discussions, have provided moral justification for neutrality, reinforced by the Church’s influence on Irish society and politics throughout the 20th century.

Click down below to access the report:

The Catholic Roots of Irish Neutrality.pdf

Download PDF • 386KB