Joshua Bennett
Jacob Rees-Mogg is a British politician, broadcaster, and member of the Conservative Party. He served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Somerset from 2010 to 2024 and has been associated with socially conservative views. Rees-Mogg was raised Catholic and has been described as a devout Catholic and unashamedly Catholic. He has expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, stating that he takes his whip from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church rather than the [Conservative] Whip's Office. However, some have questioned the authenticity of his Catholic identity, arguing that his views do not align with traditional Catholic teachings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Catholic |
| Political Party | Conservative Party |
| Political Views | Socially conservative |
| Same-sex marriage views | Opposed |
| Abortion views | Against abortion in all circumstances |
| Education | Eton College, University of Oxford |
| Family | Father: William Rees-Mogg, Mother: Irish-American |
| Residence | Grew up in Ston Easton Park, Somerset |
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What You'll Learn
Jacob Rees-Mogg's Catholic upbringing
Jacob Rees-Mogg is a British politician, broadcaster, and member of the Conservative Party. He was born in 1969 in Hammersmith, London, and grew up in Somerset. Rees-Mogg's Catholic upbringing has been well documented and has been a topic of interest for many, including political commentators and the general public.
Rees-Mogg was born into a family with a stereotypical English upper-middle-class lineage and education. His father, William Rees-Mogg, was a prominent figure in British media and politics, editing The Times for fourteen years and serving as Chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain. William was the first generation in the family to be raised as a Catholic, due to his Irish-American mother.
Rees-Mogg himself was raised Catholic and attended weekly mass and Sunday school at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost in Midsomer Norton, Somerset. He started catechism in 1975 under his governess and attended ordinary form mass. The family later moved to the nearby village of Hinton Blewett, where they purchased a Grade II-listed former rectory.
Rees-Mogg's strong Catholic faith has influenced his political views and stances on certain social issues. He has expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, stating that he takes his "'whip from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church rather than the [Conservative] Whip's Office'" on such matters. He has also been involved in controversies related to his Catholic faith, including his role as a director of the Catholic Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in London, from which he was asked to resign due to disagreements over the adoption of a tighter ethical code banning non-Catholic practices such as abortions and gender reassignment surgery.
While Rees-Mogg's Catholic upbringing and faith have been a significant part of his life and political career, some have questioned the authenticity of his commitment to Catholic teachings, particularly in relation to his views on natural moral law and his stance on certain social issues. Despite this, he remains unapologetic about his faith and its influence on his political views.
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His anti-abortion stance
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent British Conservative politician and a devout Catholic, has firmly opposed abortion, consistently advocating for the protection of unborn life. His anti-abortion stance is deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and its teachings on the sanctity of life. Rees-Mogg believes that life begins at conception and that abortion is the deliberate taking of innocent human life, which is contrary to the fundamental principles of his religion.
Rees-Mogg has been vocal about his opposition to abortion in various public forums and parliamentary debates. He has argued that abortion is a moral issue and that the state should protect the most vulnerable members of society, including the unborn. He has also expressed concern about the high number of abortions taking place in the UK and has supported initiatives to provide women with more support during pregnancy to reduce the perceived need for abortion.
In line with his religious beliefs, Rees-Mogg supports legal protections for unborn children and has voted against efforts to liberalize abortion laws. For example, he voted against the Abortion (No. 2) Bill in 2021, which proposed to decriminalize abortion up to 28 weeks of pregnancy in England and Wales. He has also opposed the use of public funds for abortions, believing that it goes against the values of a significant portion of the British public who are pro-life.
Rees-Mogg's anti-abortion stance has drawn both praise and criticism. Some admire his consistency and commitment to his religious beliefs, seeing him as a defender of traditional values and the sanctity of life. However, others criticize his position as being out of touch with modern society and infringing on women's rights and reproductive freedom.
Despite the controversy surrounding his views, Rees-Mogg remains steadfast in his opposition to abortion. He continues to use his political platform to advocate for alternative solutions, such as improved support for pregnant women and greater adoption opportunities, to reduce the number of abortions while upholding the rights of the unborn as he understands them in his Catholic faith.
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Opposition to same-sex marriage
Jacob Rees-Mogg is a British politician, broadcaster, and member of the Conservative Party. He served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Somerset from 2010 to 2024. Rees-Mogg is a practising Catholic and has been described as "unashamedly Catholic and conservative." He grew up attending weekly mass and Sunday school at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost in Midsomer Norton.
Rees-Mogg has stated that he opposes same-sex marriage and is "not proud" of it being legal. In 2013, he affirmed that he took his "whip from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church rather than the [Conservative] Whip's Office" on the issue of same-sex marriage. He elaborated on his view that "marriage is a sacrament and the decision of what is a sacrament lies with the Church, not with Parliament."
Rees-Mogg's stance on same-sex marriage has been criticised for alienating traditional supporters of the Conservative Party. His opposition to same-sex marriage is rooted in his religious beliefs and interpretation of marriage as a sacrament. He has expressed that he does not believe Britain's laws on same-sex marriage will change.
While Rees-Mogg's opposition to same-sex marriage is well-documented, his commitment to these beliefs has been questioned. Some commentators suggest that his love of tradition in politics may not extend to adherence to Catholic Tradition. Additionally, his stance on other social issues, such as abortion, has been described as "extreme" and "out of touch" by some, including the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS).
Despite his controversial views, Rees-Mogg has been considered a potential leader of the Conservative Party and was favoured by Conservative grassroots supporters to succeed Theresa May. However, his opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion has sparked debates about the role of religious conviction in politics and the potential impact on public policy.
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Views on the relationship between religion and politics
Jacob Rees-Mogg is a British politician, broadcaster, and member of the Conservative Party. He has been described as a "conviction politician with anachronistic attitudes" and has been associated with socially conservative views. Rees-Mogg is also a devout Catholic, and his religious beliefs have influenced his political stances on several issues.
Rees-Mogg grew up attending weekly mass and Sunday school at a Roman Catholic church. He has stated that he takes the teachings of the Catholic Church seriously and that his views on certain issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, are informed by his religious beliefs. For example, Rees-Mogg is opposed to abortion in all circumstances, stating that "life begins at the point of conception." He has described abortion as "a cult of death" and something that is "morally indefensible." While he has expressed opposition to changing the law on abortion, he has faced criticism from those who argue that his religious beliefs should not dictate policy.
Rees-Mogg's views on same-sex marriage have also been influenced by his Catholic faith. He has stated that he opposes same-sex marriage and that marriage is a sacrament decided by the Church, not Parliament. This stance has alienated some traditional supporters of the Conservative Party. Additionally, Rees-Mogg's opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage has led to accusations of homophobia and misogyny, with critics arguing that his religious beliefs are being used to control and denigrate others.
While serving as a director of the Catholic Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in London, Rees-Mogg was ordered to resign by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor due to arguments over the adoption of a tighter ethical code banning non-Catholic practices such as abortions and gender reassignment surgery at the hospital. This incident highlights the tension between Rees-Mogg's religious beliefs and his political roles.
Rees-Mogg's religious beliefs have also influenced his views on other issues. He has expressed support for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and has defended meetings with right-wing figures such as Steve Bannon, Trump's former White House Chief Strategist. Additionally, he has been criticised for his handling of Islamophobic and racist comments made by supporters on social media, and he has been associated with eurosceptic groups within the Conservative Party.
In summary, Jacob Rees-Mogg's Catholicism has had a significant influence on his political views and stances. While he has been characterised as a traditionalist and a conservative, his integration of religious beliefs into politics has sparked controversy and debate.
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Attendance at Catholic Church services
Jacob Rees-Mogg is a practising Roman Catholic and a political conservative. He was brought up Catholic by his father, who was a devout Catholic. Rees-Mogg grew up attending weekly mass and Sunday school at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost in Midsomer Norton, Somerset. He also attended the ordinary form mass and started catechism in 1975 under his governess.
Rees-Mogg is a traditionalist Catholic and attends the Traditional Latin Mass. In 2017, he commented that he had never changed a nappy, stating: "I don't think nanny would approve because I'm sure she'd think I wouldn't do it properly." In 2021, Rees-Mogg broke government coronavirus guidance by travelling 15 miles from his residence in Tier 3 to a church in Tier 4 to attend a Latin Mass.
Rees-Mogg has been criticised for his views on abortion and same-sex marriage, which are informed by his Catholic faith. He has stated that he is opposed to abortion in all circumstances, describing it as a cult of death and a modern tragedy. On the issue of same-sex marriage, he has said that he takes his whip from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church rather than the [Conservative] Whip's Office". He elaborated that marriage is a sacrament and the decision of what is a sacrament lies with the Church, not with Parliament.
Despite facing criticism for his Catholic beliefs, Rees-Mogg has been praised by some Catholics for his integrity and for publicly identifying as a loyal son of the Church. He has also been the subject of a grassroots movement within the Conservative Party to propel him into the leadership and potentially the prime ministership.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jacob Rees-Mogg is Catholic. He was raised Catholic and attended weekly mass and Sunday school at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost in Midsomer Norton.
Jacob Rees-Mogg has stated that he opposes same-sex marriage and abortion in all circumstances, citing his Catholic faith as the reason for his views. He has also expressed support for the ban on prayer near abortion clinics.
In interviews, Rees-Mogg has emphasised that his personal opposition to abortion would not lead him to change the law if he became Prime Minister. He has also stated that he takes his "whip from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church rather than the [Conservative] Whip's Office".
Yes, some Catholics have questioned the authenticity of Rees-Mogg's Catholicism, arguing that his views on natural moral law and his love of tradition in the House of Commons do not align with Catholic teachings.
Jacob Rees-Mogg previously served as one of the directors of the Catholic Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in London. He was asked to resign by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor due to disagreements over the adoption of an ethical code banning non-Catholic practices such as abortions and gender reassignment surgery.
