Second Reformation facts for kids

The Second Reformation was a big effort by some Christian groups in the Church of Ireland and Church of England starting in the 1820s. These groups wanted to share their beliefs and encourage people to join their churches. They were often called "Biblicals" or "New Reformers" because they focused a lot on the Bible.

History of the Movement

This movement was strongest in a part of Ireland called Connacht. An Anglican leader named Thomas Plunket, 2nd Baron Plunket strongly supported it there. However, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, John MacHale, was against it.

The main goal of the Second Reformation was to convince Roman Catholic people in Ireland to change their religion. This effort was not successful in the long run. It also caused a lot of anger and division between different religious groups.

Sometimes, people were offered things like food or other help if they agreed to convert. This was especially true during the terrible time of the Great Famine (Ireland). Many people were starving and had to go to special workhouses to get food. It was often expected that they would change their religion if they wanted help.

A Quaker and Irish politician named Alfred Webb wrote about this time:

"During the famine, a widespread system of trying to convert people spread... many well-meaning Protestant groups went to the poorer parts of the country. They offered soup and other help, hoping to bring people into their churches and schools... This movement left behind feelings of bitterness that are still felt today. Protestants, even the Quakers, lost much of the good influence they could have had..."

People who converted just to get food were sometimes called "soupers." After the famine ended, many of them went back to being Roman Catholics. These people were then sometimes called "jumpers." So, you might hear about "souper Doyles" or "jumper Murphys."

Not everyone in the Church of Ireland supported these methods. Many moderate members thought it was wrong. The Second Reformation slowly ended around the 1860s.

Other Meanings of "Second Reformation"

The phrase 'Second Reformation' has been used in different ways by Protestant groups. Sometimes, it refers to a period in Germany and Northern Europe from about 1560 to 1619. During this time, a type of Protestantism called Calvinist tried to influence another type called Lutheranism.

The "Dutch Second Reformation," also known as Nadere Reformatie, happened later, starting around 1600. It was very similar to the Puritan movement in England.