Irish Christian Front

The Irish Christian Front (ICF) was a Catholic organization that existed from August 1936 to October 1937. The organization was founded with the intention of showing support and raising funds for the pro-fascist Nationalist side of the Spanish Civil War. However, it quickly developed a domestic political agenda that was in opposition to the Irish government of the day. The ICF was able to send a substantial amount of money and supplies to the Nationalists but its domestic policies were never adopted.

The ICF remains closely associated with Patrick Belton, who was its president and leading figure. The Irish left accused Belton and the ICF of fascism. In response to these accusations Belton stated - ‘if it is necessary to be a fascist to defend Christianity then I am a fascist and so are my colleagues’.

The Spanish Civil War broke out in July 1936, as Spanish officers under Francisco Franco rebelled against the country’s left-wing government. Sympathy for the rebellion was widespread in staunchly Catholic Ireland, as the rebels were seen as protecting their country from godless communism. The Irish media, especially the Irish Independent newspaper, generally supported the rebel (‘Nationalist’) cause. Stories of atrocities against clergy and Catholic laypeople were heavily reported on. The war was generally seen as a religious, rather than a political conflict.

It was in this context that the Irish Christian Front was set up. The ICF has been described as ‘the most significant manifestation of the widespread support for Franco’ in Ireland. The group was established following a call by the Irish Independent on August 22 for the formation of a committee to help co-ordinate Irish support for the Nationalist cause. The first meeting of the ICF was on August 31 in the Mansion House in Dublin. The meeting was addressed by Alfie Byrne, the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Branches were soon formed throughout the country, often spontaneously. The ICF was strongest in Leinster. Belton, a sitting TD for Cumann na nGaedheal, was the first and only president of the ICF and its leading figure. Former Cumann na nGaedheal TD Alexander McCabe served as Secretary. Future Clann na Poblachta TD Joseph Brennan served as Vice-President.

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Wikipedia