God and the Gun: The Church and Irish TerrorismIn this astonishing and at times terrifying book, acclaimed writer and political commentator Martin Dillon examines for the first time the true role of religion in the conflict in Northern Ireland. He interviewed those directly involved--terrorists like Kenny McClinton and Billy Wright and churchmen like Father Pat Buckley--finding that the terrorists were more forthcoming than the priests and ministers. Dillon charts the history of the paramilitary forces on both sides and exposes the shocking covert role of British intelligence. He finds that, ultimately, both the church and government have failed their communities, allowing men and women of violence to fill a vacuum with bigotry and violence. |
Contents
The Maniac? | 19 |
Walking with Christ? | 56 |
The Battle for Souls | 81 |
The Last Confession | 95 |
A Maverick Priest? III | 111 |
A Holy Cause for Holy Men? | 128 |
Women at War | 143 |
Church and State | 158 |
Loyalists | 180 |
Republicans | 197 |
Reflections | 215 |
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Common terms and phrases
armed asked believed Billy Wright Bishop bomb British Army British government British intelligence Buckley campaign Catholic Church Catholic population ceasefire cell chaplains Christ Christian civil-rights committed condemnation confession confessional conflict confront crimes Cumann Na Mbann defence Denis Faul Drumcree Dublin enemy faith Father Faul fear felt gunmen Gusty Spence guys hunger strike Ian Paisley INLA involved Irish government Irish Republic journalists killing knew later leaders loyalist paramilitaries McGrath military moral murder nationalist never Northern Ireland O'Hagan Official IRA Orange Order Orangemen organisation Paisley's parade peace police political Portadown priests Protestant community Provisional IRA Provos recognised religious republican Road role sectarian Shankill Butchers Sinn Fein social socialist soldiers streets talk target Terence O'Neill terrorism terrorist thing threat tradition Ulster Resistance understand Unionist Party Unionist politicians victim violence walk wanted weapons West Belfast young