Church of England reportedly blocked reform of British anti-Catholic law
April 26, 2011
An effort to amend the Act of Settlement, which bars any Roman Catholic from succession to the British throne, was blocked by an intervention from the Church of England, the London Daily Telegraph reports.
Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, had been working to repeal the Act of Settlement, which was originally passed in 1701. But his effort has been sidelined, the Telegraph says, because the Church of England objected.
According to the Telegraph, Anglican leaders of the pointed to the incongruity of having a Catholic serve as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The opposition could also reflect a degree of rancor aimed in reaction to Pope Benedict’s open invitation for Anglicans to enter the Catholic Church.
Alex Salmond, the leader of the Scottish National Party, expressed concern at the report that a “much-needed and long overdue reform has been shelved,” and asked Clegg for a clarification.
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Further information:
- Church blocks reforms over royal marriages (Daily Telegraph)
- Alex Salmond calls for clarification on Act of Settlement (Daily Telegraph)
- Did Lambeth Palace block the reform of the Act of Settlement? Or was it Buckingham Palace? (Daily Telegraph)
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Posted by: Mike in Toronto -
Apr. 26, 2011 9:00 PM ET USA
Sore losers.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Apr. 26, 2011 7:31 PM ET USA
The Anglican communion is falling apart. It was founded on sand and the libido of Henry VIII and could not last. The AC is just plugging one hole in the dike with one finger, but the whole edifice is collapsing. May God hasten the day when Our Lady's Dowry returns to Rome.
