A Scottish bishop has criticised Prime Minister David Cameron for failing to act quickly to scrap the law preventing Catholics from taking the throne.
Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, said the Act of Settlement was a "scandalous" law that discriminated against members of his faith.
The act was passed by the English parliament in 1701 and extended to Scotland after the union.
As it happens I agree with Bishop Devine, it is a disgrace that Charles could marry a Muslim, Hindu or a Scientologist but is barred from marrying a Catholic if he wants to succeed to the throne. Catholics after all make a large part of the population and the law was obviously brought in as some type of ANTI-JACOBITE ruling. It was passed over 300 years ago it's time it was changed. BTW I don't think we need any input from our former Scottish Secretary, A****OLE Jim Murphy.
14 comments:
It's possible that the government has more important priorities than worrying about this.
And maybe Bishop Devine could direct his efforts to more pressing matters, like rooting out the paedophiles in his own church.
Caley, welcome to the blog. I would agree that this is not a priority as the chances of the Queen croaking it and abdicating before she gets to 104 is slight. She is the only one I have any admiration for. As for Devine and the Paedos, you make a good point. I'll tell you some priest jokes sometime when I have more time! Keep on commenting.
I really don’t think a Priest should be complaining about discrimination against Catholics given the attitude of his Church towards women clergy. Pots and Kettles methinks.
Let's not worry about it until the issue actually arises. Just checked on Wiki; the last time a Royal married a Catholic was in 1978, Duke of Kent, then 15th in line to the succession.
If Wills or Harry take up with a Roman Catholic, they could have her as a mistress, showering her with baubles and titles while taking a proper C of E wifey for Queen.
I see no mention in the 1701 Act Of Settlement that covers the case of a Royal Princeling entering into a Civic Union with a Catholic, male or female; perhaps Joseph Devine might worry himself about that?
Ah think maist fowk wid agree the Act o' Settlement's past its sell-by date, an' should be binned. This early point in a Parliament is exactly when it should be done, tae stop it endin up an election issue.
Guid point tho Mr Banned, ah doubt the Act o' Settlement has much tae say aboot Civil Partnerships, an' were Prince Wullie or Harry tae enter yin, it wid be a laugh tae watch the rabid righties spinnin roond an' suddenly declarin Civil Union tae be equivalent tae marriage efter aw!
DL I've started my own Bishopric and have had myself annointed by a fryingpantheist, so I'm a now priest king. In this holy land there is no room for fuckwitz no matter where they shuv their reproductive gear.
Amenhotep.
Good timimg from the bishop!
I mean, the Tim Church has had nothing but good press recently, hasn't it?
If Prince Wills met a nice hindu or muslim girl, (I know - not much chance of that but the royal family might need the owner of Tata Steel to pay for a new roof for Windsor Castle or something), I am sure the press would make much of the racism against our muslim brothers.
As for Catholics and the bad press, you know there are over a billion and a half, they are not all kiddie fiddlers. If you look at the age of the priests that are being named and shamed, can you imagine how difficult it would be for that man as a teenager in a devout family in Ireland to admit he was gay to his family - much easier to join a seminary and take the pressure of having to get married. Don't get me wrong, I am sure many of the accused were predatory but perhaps the biggest failings for the Catholic church are firstly not having a more vigorous vetting procedure and secondly for trying to cover it up.
Honorable Fred, No, I think the Catholic church has many issues of it's own to sort out, but as my mother used to tell me, two wrongs don't make a right.
Banned, I think the honourable Bishop has enough to worry him, not only will Celtic win the league?
Sophes, good point and Banned is right, what a stushie there would be if the heir to the throne was gay! I bet there have been a few down the ages who were buggering their footmen. (Apologies to my Gay following for the intemperate language there).
INCOMING!!!!! Can I enter, your priesthood. Is there any shagging of virgins in the forest?
Roberto, I don't suppose there is a good time or a bad time to raise this issue. I think he may be thinking of the Pope's visit next year and the chance to put some pressure on Cameron!
Antonio, welcome to the blog! No, my wife's a Catholic and to the best of my knowledge neither she or her family have fiddled with any kids. Mind you her brother was a bit weird sexually, but I'm sure it was more, kinky sessions with women, that were more his scene.
I think the Catholic churches biggest mistake was trying to cover it up. It is after all a big organisation and there was bound to be a few paedos in their midst. As you say vetting could have been better.
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