Anti-Catholic prejudice

Reilly (2000: 30) suggests of anti-Catholic sectarianism that there are three routine responses:

• denial of there being any significant discrimination on grounds of religion;

• conceding that sectarianism did occur in the past but claiming that it is no longer a significant issue in the present day;

• acknowledging of the continued existence of sectarianism but avoiding any public discussion about the issues so as not to make matters worse.

Bruce et al (2004) concur that Scots are divided about the extent of anti-Catholic sectarianism. They also suggest that we need to be clear in thought when discussing sectarianism. They argue that it is mistaken to equate drunk and disorderly behaviour or football hooliganism with levels of sectarianism in society at large. Sectarianism might manifest itself in those forms of behaviour but it would be too simplistic to attribute the drunk and disorderly behaviour to this one cause.

Bruce and his colleagues assert that sectarianism is much exaggerated today. They believe that Scottish Catholics for example now enjoy social, political and economic parity with non-Catholics. They base this view on statistical evidence that the number of Catholic or Protestant people in employment, particularly in senior positions, is not disproportionate to the relevant proportions in the population as a whole.

Statistics might indicate that there is less discrimination but what they cannot measure are the nuances and the ethos of situations and relationships. Bhikhu Parekh pointed out on matters of colour and race, 'One might enjoy all the rights of citizenship and be a formally equal member of the community, and yet feel an outsider who does not belong'. This statement suggests that where discrimination continues to be experienced and felt this may be located in covert or unspoken perspectives, often unquantifiable, which need to be analysed and addressed.

Colum Conway, Director of Services of Northern Ireland Pre-school Playgroup Association (NIPPA) states in an interview with the authors of this section on 25 May 2004:

With the Fair Employment Act and the arrival of inward investment, there has been a surface change. It has shifted what everything looks like, but it does not necessarily mean it has shifted the underlying attitudes