ABSTRACT

John Ireland’s deep-rooted and long-lasting relationship with the Anglican Church had a complex and profound impact on his life. Ireland was a practising Anglican for most of his life, and read the Bible on a regular basis. His faith was genuine, but as he grew older, increasingly tinged with doubt and cynicism. There are two particularly valuable sources of information on Ireland and the Church. One is the collection of letters he wrote to Father Kenneth Thompson (1904-91) between 1936 and 1961, in which he frequently refers to religion and related issues. Thompson’s own feeling was that despite some problems, Ireland was a Christian whose religious beliefs were solid:

Amid many doubts & fears (especially at the end of his life ... naturally then perhaps ... concerning survival & the future life) John was a sincere & faithful Anglican Christian - soon (I think) after his arrival in London he, accidentally as it were, wandered into a very high Anglo Catholic Church (I believe it was St Mary Magdalen’s Paddington) & was henceforth attracted to AngloCatholicism.