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July 25, 2008 12:16:53 PM CDT

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Blair to Convert to Catholicism

Posted Jun 22, 07 5:38 AM CDT in World,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Tony Blair is about to become a Roman Catholic, the Guardian reports. His wife is a practicing Catholic, his children were raised in the faith, and the PM has attended mass with them often. But political considerations have kept him officially Anglican all these years. With his last day in office next week, he's planning to come out of the religious closet.

Though Catholics have been barred from the British throne since James II was deposed in 1688, there have been many Catholics in public office over the last 40 years. But suspicion of Papists has a rich history in the UK, and Blair apparently didn't relish becoming the first Catholic prime minister.

Source Guardian (UK)

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British Prime Minister Tony Blair, right, speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday June 21, 2007. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday will urge Poland and Britain...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair gestures as he arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday June 21, 2007. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday will urge Poland and Britain to give up their...   (Associated Press)
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