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Church Keeps Catholics Off British Throne

Anglican leader must not be subordinate to pope: Church of England

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2011 11:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – Royals are free to marry atheists, agnostics, Jews, and Muslims—but don’t expect a Catholic wedding anytime soon. The British government recently attempted to end a policy, in place for centuries, that bars marriages between royals and Catholics ... but the Church of England blocked the move, the Telegraph reports. A Catholic parent must raise his or her children in the faith, meaning such a marriage would lead to a constitutional conflict: As "Supreme Governor," the future monarch would one day be head of the Anglican church—but, as a Catholic, ultimately under the pope's authority.

“The Government accepts there are provisions which could be discriminatory,” said a rep for Britain’s deputy prime minister. “Amending the laws regarding succession to the throne is a complex and difficult matter that requires careful and thoughtful consideration." (Click for a royal wedding story involving ... Facebook.)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave the Easter Matins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Sunday, April 24, 2011.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave the Easter Matins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Sunday, April 24, 2011.   (AP Photo/Chris Ison)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
quersty
Apr 26, 2011 12:50 AM CDT
How can a Muslim marry a royal (more precisely, the heir to the throne)? Or a Jew, or an atheist? Doesn't that lead to the same problem? Isn't a Muslim obliged to raise their child in their religion? Then there is the sharia thing... And it's OK for an atheist to be head of the Church of England?
Kant
Apr 25, 2011 9:25 PM CDT
Why worry if the head of state of the UK is catholic? Even most Catholics don't heed the authority of the pope.
atbo
Apr 25, 2011 5:56 PM CDT
Right wasn't the Church of England created by Henry the VIII so he could keep marrying and beheading women until he could find one that would bare him a son? This ended up not working out for him but I suspect England kept the Church to help ward off the Spanish Inquisition.
 

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