Sarah Mitchell
The topic of whether Catholics are allowed to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has been a subject of discussion and speculation in recent years, particularly with the election of Boris Johnson as the first Catholic prime minister in 2019. The Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which lifted restrictions on Catholics holding political offices, still includes a provision that forbids a Catholic prime minister from advising the monarch on the appointment of Church of England bishops. This technicality has raised questions about the compatibility of a Catholic prime minister's faith and their role in the Church of England. While some celebrate this as a watershed moment, others express concerns about the potential impact of the prime minister's faith on their politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Catholics be Prime Minister? | Yes, Boris Johnson is a Catholic Prime Minister. |
| Can Catholics advise the monarch on the appointment of Church of England bishops? | No, this is forbidden by the Catholic Relief Act of 1829. |
| Can Catholics marry in the Catholic Church after a civil divorce? | No, the Catholic Church does not recognize civil divorces and requires an annulment for a second church wedding. |
| Can Catholics ascend the throne? | No, the Act of Settlement 1701 excludes Catholics from the throne. |
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What You'll Learn
Boris Johnson's conversion to Catholicism
Early Life and Baptism
Johnson was born to a Catholic mother, Charlotte Johnson Wahl (née Fawcett), and was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith as an infant. However, during his teenage years at Eton, he veered away from Catholicism and was confirmed into the Church of England. This religious shift was a common occurrence for individuals of his generation from similar backgrounds.
Marriage and Family
Johnson's personal life has been characterised by a series of marriages and relationships. His first two marriages were not recognised by the Catholic Church, with his first marriage annulled and the second ending in divorce. Despite this, Johnson's marriage to Carrie Symonds, a Catholic, in Westminster Cathedral caused a stir. The Catholic Church considers a baptised Catholic who marries in a civil ceremony without following Catholic canon law as not validly married in the eyes of the Church. This exception allowed Johnson to marry in the Catholic Church. Additionally, their son, Wilfred, was baptised in the Catholic Church, further solidifying Johnson's connection to Catholicism.
Political Career and Religion
Johnson's political career has been marked by a complex interplay between his personal beliefs and the expectations of his role. As Prime Minister, Johnson became the first occupant of No 10 to practise Catholicism openly. This was notable given the historical context of the Church of England's establishment following the break with Rome under Henry VIII. Johnson's religious affiliation raised questions about the prime minister's role in advising the monarch on the appointment of Anglican bishops, as outlined in the Catholic Relief Act of 1829.
Impact on Politics
The impact of Johnson's Catholicism on his politics is a matter of speculation. While some Catholic teachings emphasise solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, critics point to the government's approach to aid budget cuts as contradictory. Johnson's religious affiliation may also influence his stance on issues such as climate change, an area of focus for Pope Francis.
In conclusion, Boris Johnson's conversion to Catholicism represents a significant shift in the religious landscape of British politics. While the full extent of its impact on his policies is unknown, it has sparked discussions about the role of religion in modern-day Britain and the complex interplay between personal beliefs and political leadership.
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Catholics forbidden from advising the monarch
Catholicism and the role of the British monarch have had a complex relationship, with the monarch being the head of the Church of England. As such, the monarch cannot be a Catholic and must be in communion with the Church of England. This also applies to the line of succession to the throne.
Historically, Catholics were forbidden from advising the monarch on the appointment of Anglican bishops under the Catholic Relief Act of 1829. This Act deemed that any Catholic person found to be advising the monarch on such appointments would be guilty of a "high misdemeanour" and banished from office. This was due to the belief that Catholics saw the Pope as the successor of St Peter, creating a divide between the Anglican Church and Catholicism.
The role of the Catholic Church and its influence on monarchs and their governments have been significant throughout history, especially during the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Ancien Régime. Cardinals and Catholic laymen, such as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in England and Sir Thomas More, served as senior advisors to monarchs. The Church held power as a landowner, power-broker, and policymaker, with some bishops and archbishops holding equivalent ranks to counts and dukes.
In recent times, the election of Catholic Boris Johnson as Prime Minister marked a watershed moment, indicating a shift in societal attitudes towards Catholics in positions of power. Johnson's election brought attention to the rights and freedoms of Catholics in the United Kingdom, particularly in light of the historical discrimination they faced.
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Constitutional issues with Catholicism and the monarchy
The Act of Settlement of 1701 excluded Catholics from the throne, barring James II and his children (and their descendants) from the line of succession after he converted to Catholicism in 1668. The Act provided that the throne would pass to Electress Sophia of Hanover, a granddaughter of James VI and I, and her descendants, but it excluded "forever" anyone who "is, are, or shall be reconciled to or shall hold Communion with the See or Church of Rome". While the disqualification arising from marriage to a Roman Catholic was removed by the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, the Act of Settlement still governs the shared succession of all Commonwealth realms, and changing it would require the agreement of all the states involved.
In Canada, where the Act of Settlement is part of the Canadian constitutional law, a civic politician named Tony O'Donohue challenged the provisions that exclude Roman Catholics from the throne and make the monarch the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, requiring them to be Anglican. O'Donohue argued that the Act violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but the court dismissed the case, stating that the Act of Settlement, as part of the Canadian constitution, could not be superseded by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 also states that "no person professing the Catholic religion" is allowed to advise the monarch on the appointment of Anglican bishops, and doing so would result in being "disabled forever from holding any office, civil or military, under the Crown". This section is still in force and presents a potential issue for Boris Johnson, the first Catholic prime minister of the UK, as he has advised the Crown on the appointment of Church of England bishops since assuming office. While the selection of bishops is typically left to the Church of England, the process officially involves the prime minister, and Johnson's Catholic faith could potentially impact his ability to continue nominating bishops.
The presence of a Catholic prime minister in the UK, particularly one who has advised the Crown on the appointment of bishops, highlights the complex relationship between Catholicism and the monarchy. While the Act of Settlement and the Catholic Relief Act contain provisions that exclude or restrict Catholics from certain roles and responsibilities, the changing religious landscape and increasing religious diversity in society may prompt further discussions and challenges to these long-standing constitutional laws.
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History of anti-Catholicism in England
Anti-Catholicism in England has a long and complex history, dating back to the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries. Here is a detailed overview of the key moments in the history of anti-Catholicism in England:
The English Reformation and Break from Rome:
King Henry VIII's English Reformation marked a significant turning point in England's relationship with the Catholic Church. The Act of Supremacy in 1534 declared the English crown as "the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England," supplanting the Pope's authority. This shift sparked a period of religious upheaval and set the stage for subsequent tensions between Protestants and Catholics.
The Reign of Queen Mary I:
Henry VIII was succeeded by his devoutly Catholic daughter, Mary I. She reversed the reforms by reinstating Catholicism as England's state religion and persecuting Protestants, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary." Mary's marriage to Felipe II of Spain, a Catholic fanatic and member of the powerful Habsburg family, further fueled anti-Catholic sentiments in England.
The Rise of Elizabethan Anti-Catholicism:
Elizabeth I, who succeeded Mary I, was excommunicated by Pope Pius V in 1570. This act released Elizabeth's subjects from their allegiance to her, creating a complex situation for English Catholics. Elizabeth's reign witnessed the emergence of strong anti-Catholic propaganda, such as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, which fueled anti-Catholic sentiments among Protestants. The Recusancy Acts during her reign legally coerced citizens to conform to Anglicanism, and failure to comply resulted in severe penalties.
The Gunpowder Plot and James I:
The Gunpowder Plot, orchestrated by a group of English Catholics led by Guy Fawkes, aimed to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. The plot's discovery in 1605 further intensified anti-Catholic sentiments in England, portraying Catholics as traitors and conspirators.
The English Civil War and Beyond:
The English Civil War in the 17th century witnessed the participation of Irish and German Catholics in the Union Army, challenging notions of Catholic disloyalty. However, anti-Catholicism persisted, fueled by wars, colonial expansion, and the perception of Catholic allegiance to foreign powers. Anglo-French conflicts during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815) also contributed to anti-Catholic sentiments, unifying Protestant populations in England, Scotland, and Wales.
While the intensity of anti-Catholic sentiments may have waned over time, it has left a lasting impact on England's religious landscape and shaped the country's relationship with the Catholic Church.
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Catholic emancipation in the UK
Catholic emancipation in the United Kingdom, also known as Catholic relief, was a process that took place in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to reduce and remove the numerous restrictions on Roman Catholics. These restrictions had been introduced by the Act of Uniformity, the Test Acts, and the penal laws following the Reformation. The penal laws started to be dismantled from 1766, with the First Relief Act being passed in 1778. This enabled Roman Catholics in Britain to acquire real property, such as land. Similar legislation was enacted in Ireland through a series of measures in 1774, 1778, and 1782.
In 1791, the Roman Catholic Relief Act was passed in the United Kingdom, allowing the free practice of Catholicism subject to certain restrictions designed to make it less visible. Two years later, in 1793, the Irish Parliament enacted similar legislation, granting Irish Roman Catholics the right to vote and admission to most civil offices. However, the issue of greater political emancipation was not addressed in the Act of Union of 1800 due to opposition from Irish Protestants and British Tories.
The turning point came with a change in public opinion in Britain, as well as the support of the Whigs and the followers of Lord Grenville. Despite King George IV's opposition, Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington supported the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which removed many of the remaining substantial restrictions on Roman Catholics in the United Kingdom. This act is considered the chief moment of emancipation, as it admitted Irish and English Roman Catholics to Parliament and most public offices. The Universities Tests Act of 1871, which opened universities to Roman Catholics, marked the virtual completion of Catholic Emancipation in the United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics can be Prime Minister in the UK. However, there are some legal technicalities. Under the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, no Catholic can advise the monarch on the appointment of Anglican bishops. If they do so, they are guilty of a "high misdemeanour" and would be removed from office.
Yes, Boris Johnson is a Catholic. He became the UK's first Catholic Prime Minister when he took office in 2019.
The UK has a long history of religious conflict, particularly between Catholicism and Anglicanism. From the 1530s until 1791, Catholicism was illegal in the UK for 232 years, except during the reign of Catholic King James II from 1685-1688.
The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 states that any Catholic advising the monarch on the appointment of Anglican bishops is guilty of a "high misdemeanour" and would be removed from office. This creates an issue for Catholic Prime Ministers as they are technically involved in the process of appointing bishops.
There are a few potential solutions. One is that another senior member of the Cabinet could advise the monarch on the appointment of bishops. Another solution is that the Prime Minister could get someone else to send the name of the chosen bishop to the monarch.
