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Blair to Convert to Catholicism

Being Anglican was politically expedient, but the PM's been drawn to the Roman church for 30 years

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 22, 2007 5:38 AM CDT

(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.

Prime Minister Tony Blair meets Pope Benedict XVI
Prime Minister Tony Blair meets Pope Benedict XVI   (Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair 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 staunch opposition to key parts of a toned-down EU treaty as leaders start to gather for an EU summit...
British Prime Minister Tony Blair 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 staunch opposition...   (Associated Press)
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 to give up their staunch opposition to key parts of a toned-down EU treaty as leaders...
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 staunch opposition to key parts of a toned-down EU treaty as leaders start to gather for...
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)
President Bush walks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in this May file photo at the White House in Washington. Bush has talked with Blair about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he leaves office next week.  (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, FILE)
President Bush walks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in this May file photo at the White House in Washington. Bush has talked with Blair about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he...   (Associated Press)
Tony Blair and Pope Benedict.
Tony Blair and Pope Benedict.   (Getty Images)
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