- Status
M
Magicsilence
Guest
Now truly our brother in faith, I think he needs our prayers. I hope he has truly changed his views on abortion (and contraception) and speaks out against them, even if it is not pro-active.
God Bless Him for having the courage!
With God nothing is impossible!
C
Catholic_Opinion
Guest
There is an interesting development in the UK. For a while we have heard rumors that former Prime Minister Tony Blair might become a Catholic.
It happened.
Tony Blair joins Catholic Church
Former prime minister Tony Blair has left the Anglican Church to become a Roman Catholic.
His wife and children are already Catholic and there had been speculation he would convert after leaving office.
**Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Conner, **who led the service to welcome Mr Blair, said he was “very glad” to do so.
Last year, Mr Blair, who is now a Middle East peace envoy, said he had prayed to God when deciding whether or not to send UK troops into Iraq.
And one of Mr Blair’s final official trips while prime minister was a visit to the Vatican in June where he met Pope Benedict XVI.
‘Regular worshipper’
**Mr Blair was received into full communion with the Catholic Church during Mass at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, on Friday. **
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, who is the head of Catholics in England and Wales, said: **"I am very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church.
**
"For a long time he has been a **regular worshipper at Mass **with his family and in recent months he has been following a programme of formation to prepare for his reception into full communion.
“My prayers are with him, his wife and family at this joyful moment in their journey of faith together.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, leader of the Anglican church, wished the former prime minister well in his spiritual journey.
He said: “Tony Blair has my prayers and good wishes as he takes this step in his Christian pilgrimage.”
Northern Ireland
Downing Street confirmed the prime minister had converted, but said it was a private matter and it would not comment further.
But the former Conservative government minister, Ann Widdicombe, who became a Catholic in 1993, told the BBC Mr Blair’s move raised some questions.
“If you look at Tony Blair’s voting record in the House of Commons, he’s gone against Church teaching on more than one occasion. On things, for example, like abortion,” she said.
"My question would be, ‘has he changed his mind on that?’"
But Mr Blair’s biographer, Anthony Seldon, said the former prime minister’s faith had always been a major influence on his politics.
Mr Seldon said: "He’s a profoundly religious figure. Religion brought him into politics in the first place, not reading Labour Party history.
“Catholicism has been the religion of his wife – Cherie Blair has been incredibly important to him throughout his political life, encouraging him to go into politics and adopting many of his positions, so I think it was the obvious part of the Christian faith for him to come into.”
Northern Ireland
There has never been a Roman Catholic prime minister of Britain, although there is no constitutional barrier to such a move.
However, it had in the past been suggested that Mr Blair would wait until after leaving office, to avoid possible clashes such as over his role in appointing Church of England bishops.
Catherine Pepinster, editor of Catholic magazine The Tablet, said the news was not quite the same as if Mr Blair had changed Churches while still prime minister.
"I understand that one of the issues he was concerned with, because he was so closely involved in negotiations over peace in Northern Ireland, that perhaps some people there might have been uncomfortable with the prime minister converting to Catholicism at such a time.
“This situation is different. Although he remains a public figure now, and clearly has a role to play in the Middle East, it isn’t perhaps quite the same.”
‘Nutter’ fear
Mr Blair’s ex-spokesman, Alastair Campbell, once famously told reporters “We don’t do God,” but has since said that his former boss “does do God in quite a big way”.
Mr Blair last year told ITV1 chat show host Michael Parkinson he had prayed while deciding whether to send troops into Iraq.
“In the end, there is a judgement that, I think if you have faith about these things, you realise that judgement is made by other people… and if you believe in God, it’s made by God as well,” he said.
And earlier this year, he told the BBC that he had avoided talking about his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled “a nutter”.
The news of his conversion comes as a document showed Mr Blair had raised “concern” over ongoing business negotiations in a letter about an investigation into a Saudi arms deal.
Days later the probe was dropped, and Mr Blair said the decision to stop it was taken because of national security, and was not linked to commercial interests.
This raises some interesting questions which I am sure our friends in the UK can clarify in charity.
I would very much like to hear Card. Murphy O’Conner talk about the “formation programme” for Mr. Blair and if they discussed issues such as how public figures need to be consistent with Catholic doctrine.
For example, since Mr. Blair publicly held positions on certain issues which were contrary to Catholic doctrine, how does his public stance square with his former reception into the Church?
I am not interested in blasting Mr. Blair. I will probably delete comments which simply rain vituperation on him or anyone else in this matter. I am interested in the larger issue, which affect American (and not only American) politics as well.
We all know that in the USA for the electoral campaigns there are difficulties when self-proclaimed Catholic politicians support and promote things contrary to Catholic doctrine, such as abortion. Since they are public figures, taking a public stand, it seems right that they should make a public statement to correct their errors before reception of Holy Communion, lest there be scandal among God’s people. Archbp. Burke has spoken, written, and acted on this matter.
This should also apply to politicians in other countries. Remember that when the Holy Father flew to Brasil for the meeting of CELAM, he was asked on the airplane by an Italian journalist about the situation in Mexico where Catholic politicians had removed sanctions from those who procure abortions.
This is a world wide issue.
At the same time, none of us are finished products yet. I suspect Mr. Blair or other politicians will not change his positions if they are constantly blasted with nastiness. Persuasion is needed. In no way does this condone public denial of Catholic doctrine. I am trying to underscore the fallen dimension of our human experience.
Thus, I am glad that Mr. Blair desired closer unity with the Catholic Church and acted on it. However, I would like some clarifications.
Full entry…
It happened.
Tony Blair joins Catholic Church
Former prime minister Tony Blair has left the Anglican Church to become a Roman Catholic.
His wife and children are already Catholic and there had been speculation he would convert after leaving office.
**Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Conner, **who led the service to welcome Mr Blair, said he was “very glad” to do so.
Last year, Mr Blair, who is now a Middle East peace envoy, said he had prayed to God when deciding whether or not to send UK troops into Iraq.
And one of Mr Blair’s final official trips while prime minister was a visit to the Vatican in June where he met Pope Benedict XVI.
‘Regular worshipper’
**Mr Blair was received into full communion with the Catholic Church during Mass at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, on Friday. **
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, who is the head of Catholics in England and Wales, said: **"I am very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church.
**
"For a long time he has been a **regular worshipper at Mass **with his family and in recent months he has been following a programme of formation to prepare for his reception into full communion.
“My prayers are with him, his wife and family at this joyful moment in their journey of faith together.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, leader of the Anglican church, wished the former prime minister well in his spiritual journey.
He said: “Tony Blair has my prayers and good wishes as he takes this step in his Christian pilgrimage.”
Northern Ireland
Downing Street confirmed the prime minister had converted, but said it was a private matter and it would not comment further.
But the former Conservative government minister, Ann Widdicombe, who became a Catholic in 1993, told the BBC Mr Blair’s move raised some questions.
“If you look at Tony Blair’s voting record in the House of Commons, he’s gone against Church teaching on more than one occasion. On things, for example, like abortion,” she said.
"My question would be, ‘has he changed his mind on that?’"
But Mr Blair’s biographer, Anthony Seldon, said the former prime minister’s faith had always been a major influence on his politics.
Mr Seldon said: "He’s a profoundly religious figure. Religion brought him into politics in the first place, not reading Labour Party history.
“Catholicism has been the religion of his wife – Cherie Blair has been incredibly important to him throughout his political life, encouraging him to go into politics and adopting many of his positions, so I think it was the obvious part of the Christian faith for him to come into.”
Northern Ireland
There has never been a Roman Catholic prime minister of Britain, although there is no constitutional barrier to such a move.
However, it had in the past been suggested that Mr Blair would wait until after leaving office, to avoid possible clashes such as over his role in appointing Church of England bishops.
Catherine Pepinster, editor of Catholic magazine The Tablet, said the news was not quite the same as if Mr Blair had changed Churches while still prime minister.
"I understand that one of the issues he was concerned with, because he was so closely involved in negotiations over peace in Northern Ireland, that perhaps some people there might have been uncomfortable with the prime minister converting to Catholicism at such a time.
“This situation is different. Although he remains a public figure now, and clearly has a role to play in the Middle East, it isn’t perhaps quite the same.”
‘Nutter’ fear
Mr Blair’s ex-spokesman, Alastair Campbell, once famously told reporters “We don’t do God,” but has since said that his former boss “does do God in quite a big way”.
Mr Blair last year told ITV1 chat show host Michael Parkinson he had prayed while deciding whether to send troops into Iraq.
“In the end, there is a judgement that, I think if you have faith about these things, you realise that judgement is made by other people… and if you believe in God, it’s made by God as well,” he said.
And earlier this year, he told the BBC that he had avoided talking about his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled “a nutter”.
The news of his conversion comes as a document showed Mr Blair had raised “concern” over ongoing business negotiations in a letter about an investigation into a Saudi arms deal.
Days later the probe was dropped, and Mr Blair said the decision to stop it was taken because of national security, and was not linked to commercial interests.
This raises some interesting questions which I am sure our friends in the UK can clarify in charity.
I would very much like to hear Card. Murphy O’Conner talk about the “formation programme” for Mr. Blair and if they discussed issues such as how public figures need to be consistent with Catholic doctrine.
For example, since Mr. Blair publicly held positions on certain issues which were contrary to Catholic doctrine, how does his public stance square with his former reception into the Church?
I am not interested in blasting Mr. Blair. I will probably delete comments which simply rain vituperation on him or anyone else in this matter. I am interested in the larger issue, which affect American (and not only American) politics as well.
We all know that in the USA for the electoral campaigns there are difficulties when self-proclaimed Catholic politicians support and promote things contrary to Catholic doctrine, such as abortion. Since they are public figures, taking a public stand, it seems right that they should make a public statement to correct their errors before reception of Holy Communion, lest there be scandal among God’s people. Archbp. Burke has spoken, written, and acted on this matter.
This should also apply to politicians in other countries. Remember that when the Holy Father flew to Brasil for the meeting of CELAM, he was asked on the airplane by an Italian journalist about the situation in Mexico where Catholic politicians had removed sanctions from those who procure abortions.
This is a world wide issue.
At the same time, none of us are finished products yet. I suspect Mr. Blair or other politicians will not change his positions if they are constantly blasted with nastiness. Persuasion is needed. In no way does this condone public denial of Catholic doctrine. I am trying to underscore the fallen dimension of our human experience.
Thus, I am glad that Mr. Blair desired closer unity with the Catholic Church and acted on it. However, I would like some clarifications.
Full entry…
J
justice_mirror
Guest
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was received into the Catholic Church yesterday. Here is an earlier article on his 30 year journey to Rome.
More opinion…
More opinion…
A
Adonis33
Guest
I think this is wonderful news.
T
Tah_Dah_Man
Guest
With all of the differences among the churches, the bottom line and questions are:
Does Jesus live in me?
Am I saved in Jesus?
Any doubts?
“We have a prayer.”
Dear Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner, and so undeserving of Your mercy.
But I call upon You now with all conviction, and I ask You now to please forgive me all of my sins, for You know them all.
You are the only One who can forgive me, and take away my sins.
You are the only One that can save me from sin, death, Hell, and the wrath of God (by that one and only historic Sacrifice You made for us, in Your Body and Blood, while on the cross).
And, I thank You now for bearing the cross for us, paying the ransom in full, and setting us free from Satan’s lies and strongholds.
Thank You for forgiving me, redeeming me, saving me, and granting me everlasting life, as You have promised.
Only You can save us from our sin’s penalty.
(We cannot save ourselves, and, there is no Church or religious work of ours that can save us.)
I give thanks, and all the glory to You Jesus, Your Father, and the Holy Spirit!
Use me to reach others with Your Gospel!
In Your Name Jesus, I will pray, and praise You! -Amen.
(Now, my eternal life ain’t a “Hail Mary.”)
Does Jesus live in me?
Am I saved in Jesus?
Any doubts?
“We have a prayer.”
Dear Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner, and so undeserving of Your mercy.
But I call upon You now with all conviction, and I ask You now to please forgive me all of my sins, for You know them all.
You are the only One who can forgive me, and take away my sins.
You are the only One that can save me from sin, death, Hell, and the wrath of God (by that one and only historic Sacrifice You made for us, in Your Body and Blood, while on the cross).
And, I thank You now for bearing the cross for us, paying the ransom in full, and setting us free from Satan’s lies and strongholds.
Thank You for forgiving me, redeeming me, saving me, and granting me everlasting life, as You have promised.
Only You can save us from our sin’s penalty.
(We cannot save ourselves, and, there is no Church or religious work of ours that can save us.)
I give thanks, and all the glory to You Jesus, Your Father, and the Holy Spirit!
Use me to reach others with Your Gospel!
In Your Name Jesus, I will pray, and praise You! -Amen.
(Now, my eternal life ain’t a “Hail Mary.”)
J
Jlcastagna
Guest
Tah Dah Man
Stay with us for awhile and we’ll bring you back to the fullness of faith that God desires for all of us.
May God bless and protect us,
JLC
Stay with us for awhile and we’ll bring you back to the fullness of faith that God desires for all of us.
May God bless and protect us,
JLC
W
water
Guest
God bless Tony Blair and his family.
P
planter654
Guest
That is truly beautiful! Our Dear Blessed Mother, Saints, Holy Prophets are sharing in this honour and joy in the Presents Of God our heavenly Father.With all of the differences among the churches, the bottom line and questions are:
Does Jesus live in me?
Am I saved in Jesus?
Any doubts?
“We have a prayer.”
Dear Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner, and so undeserving of Your mercy.
But I call upon You now with all conviction, and I ask You now to please forgive me all of my sins, for You know them all.
You are the only One who can forgive me, and take away my sins.
You are the only One that can save me from sin, death, Hell, and the wrath of God (by that one and only historic Sacrifice You made for us, in Your Body and Blood, while on the cross).
And, I thank You now for bearing the cross for us, paying the ransom in full, and setting us free from Satan’s lies and strongholds.
Thank You for forgiving me, redeeming me, saving me, and granting me everlasting life, as You have promised.
Only You can save us from our sin’s penalty.
(We cannot save ourselves, and, there is no Church or religious work of ours that can save us.)
I give thanks, and all the glory to You Jesus, Your Father, and the Holy Spirit!
Use me to reach others with Your Gospel!
In Your Name Jesus, I will pray, and praise You! -Amen.
(Now, my eternal life ain’t a “Hail Mary.”)
God Bless…a very little child of God
S
Stephen_C
Guest
Just thought I would share this
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071222/ap_on_re_eu/britain_blair_catholicism_5
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071222/ap_on_re_eu/britain_blair_catholicism_5
R
rlg94086
Guest
What joyful news this Advent!
I am very pleased to hear Mr. Blair has been welcomed into the Church. For those that worry about whether all of his beliefs (abortion, contraception, etc.) are 100% orthodox, take heart. Even if they aren’t, they very well be on the right path. For example, perhaps he is “personally opposed,” but still believes in the governmental right. While that isn’t ideal, his understanding will hopefully grow.
Just remember, we are all works in progress. As a fellow parishioner described himself as “an aspiring Catholic gentleman,” all we can do is work on ourselves and our understanding in our journey to heaven.
Peace of Christ to all…including our separated brothers and sisters who will hopefully join us someday.
I am very pleased to hear Mr. Blair has been welcomed into the Church. For those that worry about whether all of his beliefs (abortion, contraception, etc.) are 100% orthodox, take heart. Even if they aren’t, they very well be on the right path. For example, perhaps he is “personally opposed,” but still believes in the governmental right. While that isn’t ideal, his understanding will hopefully grow.
Just remember, we are all works in progress. As a fellow parishioner described himself as “an aspiring Catholic gentleman,” all we can do is work on ourselves and our understanding in our journey to heaven.
Peace of Christ to all…including our separated brothers and sisters who will hopefully join us someday.
B
Barbieflausa
Guest
I also think this is a very Happy Christmas time for Mr Blair…and hope his walk with The Lord will only grow deep each day…
We are all cracked pots in need of the Master Potter who will lift us up and make us into the jars of clay that will produce the finest wine.
We are all cracked pots in need of the Master Potter who will lift us up and make us into the jars of clay that will produce the finest wine.
po18guy
Well-known member
Praise God in Heaven! I especially like the Anglican response, which is to wish him well on his Christian pilgrimage. Quite genteel and charitable.
Christ’s peace this Advent and Christmas.
E
East_and_West
Guest
No but you are gonna be real surprised when you get to heaven and Jesus looks at you, crosses his arms, taps his foot, and says, “Now what did you say about my mother?”(Now, my eternal life ain’t a “Hail Mary.”)
Just kidding. But you need to know that no Catholic believes that our eternal life is a Hail Mary. Before you bash the Church I suggest you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I think you might be surprised about you what you find.
J
Jlcastagna
Guest
The Tah Dah Man claims to be a formerly Devout Catholic.No but you are gonna be real surprised when you get to heaven and Jesus looks at you, crosses his arms, taps his foot, and says, “Now what did you say about my mother?”
Just kidding. But you need to know that no Catholic believes that our eternal life is a Hail Mary. Before you bash the Church I suggest you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I think you might be surprised about you what you find.
I would say this is a imposibility as anyone who is a Devout Catholic would only claim to be one of two things. Either 1. A devout Catholic or 2. A non practicing Catholic. Anyone who has ever been a Devout Catholic would never fall for the incomplete truths of Protestantism.
I
Isa_Almisry
Guest
Let us praise the pure Virgin,With all of the differences among the churches, the bottom line and questions are:
Does Jesus live in me?
Am I saved in Jesus?
Any doubts?
“We have a prayer.”
Dear Jesus,
(Now, my eternal life ain’t a “Hail Mary.”)
who held within her
Him Whom the Heavens
could not hold.
With the Archangel
sent by God
let us Cry out
Hail Mary full of grace!
and full of the Holy Spirit
like Elizabeth let us proclaim
Blessed are you
Mother of My Lord
Let us leap
like John in the womb,
and like David dance
before the True Ark
More glorious
than the Cherubim
She contains
Him of Sinai
Seashell which
brought forth
the pearl of
Grear Price
Purest wheat
living Table of
the Presence of
the Bread of Life
she heard and kept
the Word of God
and conceived
through the ear.
New Eve
the Second Adam
was formed out
of her wakeful side.
Today she
gives birth
to Him who
is without beginning.
Chosen of the Father!
Bride of the Spirit!
Mother of the Son!
G
Gregory_Carlin
Guest
That doesn’t mean he is a Catholic, nor does it make right.
The English hierarchy are as likely to endorse brothel-keeping as anything more favorable these days. This is I am afraid just more of the same old thing we have come to expect. I don’t see why Catholics in Europe or the USA should be pleased.
Tony Blair when he became Prime Minister promised politics which would be ‘whiter than white, purer than pure’ and what he delivered was sleaze, corruption, pornography and war.
I can still recall the Guardian newspaper referring to myself as a God-botherer from the Catholic far-Right because of my opposition to Jerome Brennan, a notorious person who was involved in sex trafficking.
I headed the campaign to drive Brennan from Belfast.
[Bombs, guns and paedophile priests? Forget all that and target the strippers
Henry McDonald
Sunday November 3, 2002The Observer](Lap-dancing lunacy | Henry McDonald | The Guardian)
Jerome Brennan was assisted in his evil by British officials, he was eventually, after years of campaigning, arrested and convicted for trying to procure children to work for a sex business in Spain. Tony Blair was a problem, and his office was involved.
I was vindicated.
Tony Blair’s conversion opens the door for Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor to be placed in the same position as Cardinal Law, that is how serious this issue is.
The exchange of peerages for cash is identical to selling a senate seat in the United State’s of America. So why is Cormac Murphy-O’Connor doing this, why involve our faith in squalor heaped upon squalor?
This is the same Tony Blair who was involved in the Spnk Loving Slts cash donation, this is the same Tony Blair who said that it was all right for teachers to view child pornography web-sites! Who else is the Cardinal going to embrace?
I suppose at the end of the day, Tony Blair, may have simply found ‘Catholic’ people who agree with his views on brothels, pornography and pedophilia.
Gregory Carlin
Director
Irish Anti-Trafficking Coalition
M
mommyof4
Guest
Praying for Mr. Blair and his family. I’m glad to have them join us.
T
Tonks40
Guest
Guess you’ve never heard of the words “conversion” and “repentenance…”
Honestly, who are we to judge the mortal state of an individual? You can connect me to many scandalous situations and incidents, but why does it matter to anyone except God?
Oh well, I guess you have a right to your opinion.
- Status