Fresh calls for anti-Catholic Act to be axed

[1holycatholic]

Fresh calls for anti-Catholic Act to be axed
Michael Moore has been accused of a “dereliction of duty” for not continuing his predecessors’ bid to change the Act of Settlement, which discriminates against Catholics and women, as renewed calls by the Catholic Church in Scotland are made to scrap the antiquated legislation.

Last year, Gordon Brown as Prime Minister began talks to reform the Act with Bucking-ham Palace and leaders of 15 Commonwealth countries, whose approval would be needed to bring about any change.
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[Dale_M]

Okay, I’m a typical clueless American when it comes to the details of British government, and I hope others here will correct me with loving kindness if I get this wrong. However, my understanding is that…

Michael Moore is the Secretary of State for Scotland, which means that he heads the Scotland Office in the UK’s Ministry of Justice. The purpose of this office, and purpose of the Secretary of State, is to represent the interests of Scotland. For that past decade or so, the chief function has been to smooth the process of “devolution” or the transfer of responsibilities from the central UK government to the newly created Scottish Parliament. However, the Secretary of State for Scotland remains an important voice for representing Scotland’s point of view.

If that is correct, I guess I am a bit puzzled why the Act of Settlement is considered a Scottish issue. Certainly its anti-Catholic provisions should be repealed, and if there are anti-female provisions then they too should be removed. But why is this a Scottish issue?

And for that matter, why has it been so hard to modify the Act of Settlement?

 

[kaid100]

Okay, I’m a typical clueless American when it comes to the details of British government, and I hope others here will correct me with loving kindness if I get this wrong. However, my understanding is that…

Michael Moore is the Secretary of State for Scotland, which means that he heads the Scotland Office in the UK’s Ministry of Justice. The purpose of this office, and purpose of the Secretary of State, is to represent the interests of Scotland. For that past decade or so, the chief function has been to smooth the process of “devolution” or the transfer of responsibilities from the central UK government to the newly created Scottish Parliament. However, the Secretary of State for Scotland remains an important voice for representing Scotland’s point of view.

If that is correct, I guess I am a bit puzzled why the Act of Settlement is considered a Scottish issue. Certainly its anti-Catholic provisions should be repealed, and if there are anti-female provisions then they too should be removed. But why is this a Scottish issue?

And for that matter, why has it been so hard to modify the Act of Settlement?

You’re right, it’s not really part of Michael Moore’s portfolio to look at the Act of Settlement. While he could have talked to Westminster about getting it changed, so could any number of other politicians in the UK so there’s no reason to single out Moore in particular, especially since 27 people would have to unexpectedly die before it would be a problem. (George Windsor, who would be 28th in line, is married to a Roman Catholic). If William or Harry were to marry a Catholic I imagine it would be changed pronto, but in the meantime even the Catholic leader in England and Wales has said that “it isn’t top priority”.

All that said, I don’t believe in discriminating on the basis of religion so I think it does want changing, maybe once there isn’t a financial crisis.

 

[Digitonomy]

And for that matter, why has it been so hard to modify the Act of Settlement?

Beyond domestic politics in the UK parliament, I believe a modification for practical reasons would need to be approved by the other Commonwealth realms, which recognize the Queen as head of state. Some countries like Australia are leaning toward becoming republics, so opening this issue could be the precipitating event that would lead them to jettison the British monarch.