The impact of sectarianism on the relationship among
Christian denominations in Australia pre-1945
Religious division
The term sectarianism refers to rivalry or division along religious lines. In many
cases sectarianism leads to severe discrimination, persecution and violence.
The conflict in Northern Ireland can be seen as sectarian rivalry between Catholics
and Protestants. The present conflict in Israel can be seen a sectarian rivalry between
Jews (Israelis) and Muslims (Palestinians).
Social, political and religious reasons
Often where there is a history of sectarian division, there are social and political
reasons mixed with religious reasons. It can be very difficult to separate one aspect
from another. In some cases, religious extremists claim they are acting from religious
motivation when in fact social and political reasons are clearly important factors.
At the time of the arrival of the first fleet (1788) there was considerable rivalry and
bitterness between the Church of England and Catholics in England and Ireland. This
sectarianism stemmed from two main sources.
Protestant Reformation
Firstly, the Protestant reformation of the 16th century had left a great deal of
bitterness between the Catholics and Protestants. Rivalry and mistrust had continued
passionately in the centuries that followed and by the end of the 18th century there
was extreme division between Protestants and Catholics in virtually all walks of life.
English occupation of Ireland
Secondly, the occupation of Ireland by the English and the oppression of the Irish
people maintained the strength of feeling. The occupation of Ireland was more a
political than religious issue, however, religion featured strongly in the respective
identities of the English and Irish. This ensured that sectarianism would be part of the
situation.
With the establishment of the colony in NSW, sectarianism continued to be a major
issue. The colony was set up with the Church of England as the established religion.
The Catholics in the colony were a small minority and felt they were harshly treated.
Forced religious practice
In the early years of the colony, it was expected that everybody attended Sunday
worship and that this was to be in the form of the Church of England Divine
Service. The decision not to allow Catholics to worship according to their own
religion created further resentment. For most of the first 30 years of the colony
Catholics were not permitted to have a Priest minister to their community.
The English authorities feared that granting permission for Catholics to worship
together would breed sedition as in evidence through the 1795 uprising in Ireland
where the Catholic clergy had taken key roles inciting the people to rebellion.
Castle Hill Rebellion
The fears of the authorities seemed to have been well founded when the Castle Hill
rebellion took place in 1804, just one year after the convict Priest James Dixon had
been given permission to minister to the Catholics of the colony.
The Irish (Catholics) were regarded as "scum" by most of the English authorities.
They were portrayed as uneducated as many refused to send their children to schools
run by the Church of England. They were accused of being immoral as many couples
lived in de-facto relationships rather than being married according to a rite of the
Church of England. They were also regarded as irreligious as many refused to have
their children baptised in the Church of England.
Education issue
Education became an important political issue which was played out according to
sectarian divisions. Catholics were determined to establish Catholic schools for their
children. Government decisions made it extremely difficult to maintain these schools.
Catholics saw the schools as a kind of symbol of their freedom and went to great
lengths to ensure their continuation.
Employment practices
Sectarianism can also be seen in the types of employment practices which were
evident up until the early 1900's. Most businesses were owned and run by people of
Protestant background and many of these employers held deep feelings of mistrust
towards Catholics. Accordingly it was relatively common to see notices regarding
positions vacant to include the qualification "Catholics need not apply".
One of the few places where discrimination in employment was not practised was in
the Public Service. Consequently and not surprisingly, many Catholics were attracted
to work in the public sector and have traditionally been overrepresented in these jobs.
Public Service examination
With this in mind, Catholic schools had a strong focus on preparing their students to
pass the annual Public Service examination which would then provide them with
secure employment relatively free from sectarian discrimination.
Conscription debate
A further element which fuelled the sectarianism between Protestants and Catholics in
Australia, was the bitter debate over conscription in World War I. The government
had sought to introduce conscription to bolster the numbers of soldiers it could send
to the front in support of Britain. To do this required the successful passage of a
referendum on the issue.
Leaders of the Protestant Churches and in particular the Church of England urged
citizens to show loyalty to Britain and support the referendum. Catholic leaders by
contrast were strident in their opposition to the idea of conscription.
This opposition led to a great escalation of hostility towards Catholics who were
considered as traitors. The conscription issue went to two referenda. Both were
defeated leaving a great feeling of resentment towards Catholics who were vilified for
their stance.
Despite the strident, public opposition of Catholic leaders to conscription, it is
evident, nevertheless, that many Protestants shared their opposition. Catholics
were barely 10% of the population at the time and it would have taken a significant
number of Protestants to also oppose the issue for the referenda to be defeated.
Later in the 20th century, in the aftermath of World War I & II and the Great
Depression, there was a considerable softening of sectarian rivalry which would
ultimately give way to ecumenical cooperation.