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guanophore
Guest
I don’t think so. They could just assign the duty to a Bishop and/or declare the Bishop of Canterbury a Patriarch.
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GKC
Guest
I don’t think so, if I read this correctly. Per the Elizabethan Parliamentary Act of Supremacy, the monarch is the Supreme Governor of the CoE.
GKC
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GKC
Guest
Sure. If you assume that anything that obstructs the premise can be changed, then nihil obstat. Anything can be done. But if HRH were to leave the CoE, and nothing else transpires, than HRH cannot be the monarch, in due course.
GKC
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7_Sorrows
Guest
I guess I should have been more precise.
“What if Prince William wanted to convert to the Catholic faith?”
~ not methodist, baptist, presbyterian, etc.
What if during William’s upbringing and education about England’s history they came to the life and times of King Henry VIII. William knows England was Catholic at one time. What if seeds of doubt were planted about that point in England’s history with the establishment of a new church and the bloody aftermath that followed. I am sure the Queen has spoken with William about the different Popes she has met.
So William attends his first Mass in Malta and he just has these nagging thoughts or that he wants to learn more about catholicism.
Meanwhile his grandmother is queen then his father is king and who knows how many years down the road before William is king.
In a way, wouldn’t it be a way to heal that part of England’s past by removing the law that says the monarch must be in communion
with the CoE? Or is this total fantasy, out of the question and will never happen?
“What if Prince William wanted to convert to the Catholic faith?”
~ not methodist, baptist, presbyterian, etc.
What if during William’s upbringing and education about England’s history they came to the life and times of King Henry VIII. William knows England was Catholic at one time. What if seeds of doubt were planted about that point in England’s history with the establishment of a new church and the bloody aftermath that followed. I am sure the Queen has spoken with William about the different Popes she has met.
So William attends his first Mass in Malta and he just has these nagging thoughts or that he wants to learn more about catholicism.
Meanwhile his grandmother is queen then his father is king and who knows how many years down the road before William is king.
In a way, wouldn’t it be a way to heal that part of England’s past by removing the law that says the monarch must be in communion
with the CoE? Or is this total fantasy, out of the question and will never happen?
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GKC
Guest
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Marie5890
Guest
I would say he would be more likely to adbicate the throne the way his great grand uncle did ( I believe he did so so he could marry a divorced Catholic?) the try to have Parliament change the law.
Besides England has much bigger problems then its anti Catholic past. Its bigger issues are secularism atheism etc.
Catholicism is hardly a deep wound comparitively speaking these days.
But all that aside I cant see the going against literally centuries of tradition of the monarch being the head of the CoE
Besides England has much bigger problems then its anti Catholic past. Its bigger issues are secularism atheism etc.
Catholicism is hardly a deep wound comparitively speaking these days.
But all that aside I cant see the going against literally centuries of tradition of the monarch being the head of the CoE
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7_Sorrows
Guest
I would be shocked if William would abdicate. I know his grandmother, grandfather, and father have raised him to know what his duties are and unlike great grandfather’s uncle he is married with children.
It is only a hypothetical idea I have asked.
Of course, England has more problems than its Catholic past.
However, it would be nice to change the law that a Catholic could not be king or queen. It would be nice to embrace its Catholic history.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
Thanks for all of your info. I had forgotten about Prince Philip.
I don’t remember how old William was when Diana’s mother passed. Did she convert after Diana died or before? I can’t even remember when Diana’s mother died.
I don’t remember how old William was when Diana’s mother passed. Did she convert after Diana died or before? I can’t even remember when Diana’s mother died.
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Picky_Picky
Guest
Not quite so simple. First, the principle that the crown is the ultimate authority in all matters (“as well ecclesiastical as civil”) has been fundamental to the English system for nearly 500 years and removing that principle would have implications we cannot possibly scope in advance, given that in a country without a written constitution it will be a factor in statute, in constitutional convention, in legal precedent in a myriad unpredictable ways. Be good for the lawyers, though.
Secondly it is difficult to see how it could be done without disestablishing the CofE, which is something even non-Anglican leaders in Britain, including the Catholic hierarchy, would be very wary of.
Thirdly it might prove a very effective way of stirring a hornets’ nest not only in Northern Ireland but in Scotland too.
Fourthly it cannot practically be done simply by Britain. The British monarch is also monarch of 15 other countries, all of which would need to agree the changes, in many cases pass appropriate legislation identical in effect to British legislation, in some cases (Canada and Australia) in difficult conditions through federal systems, and all timed to come into effect at the same time. Agreement on removing gender discrimination in the succession, and removing the barring of heirs married to Catholics, was agreed by the 16 governments three years ago, and is still some way (probably at least a year) from achieving success.
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Marie5890
Guest
7 Sorrows;12370430**:
It is only a hypothetical idea I have asked.
Of course, England has more problems than its Catholic past.
However, it would be nice to change the law that a Catholic could not be king or queen. It would be nice to embrace its Catholic history.
I agree with this whole-heartedly.
That is why I could never see him convert. He has been raised with the duty in mind that he is to be the head of the CofE someday. It will be part of his duty as king of England.
and unlike great grandfather’s uncle he is married with children.
It is only a hypothetical idea I have asked.
Of course, England has more problems than its Catholic past.
However, it would be nice to change the law that a Catholic could not be king or queen. It would be nice to embrace its Catholic history.
I agree with this whole-heartedly.
That is why I could never see him convert. He has been raised with the duty in mind that he is to be the head of the CofE someday. It will be part of his duty as king of England.
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Marie5890
Guest
Thanks for putting everything in context, Jharek. I had no idea that the Catholic faith is alive and well within the extended Royal family. Didnt know it was it was that well represented.
Didnt know it was it was that well represented.
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Marie5890
Guest
OY…
With all that broken down, I cant even imagine then even considering it.
It would cause more problems and do more damage than it would be worth…
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HaroldA
Guest
If I recall correctly, around 1697, the Elector (King) of Saxony was head of the State Lutheran Church in Saxony. In an attempt to also become King of Poland he converted to Catholicism. While he did reign as King of Poland, for a time, the Polish throne did not remain with the Saxon royal family. Indeed, Poland disappeared being carved up by other countries.But the Saxon royal family remained (and remains) Catholic.
All that to say that, since the King was head of the Lutheran Church, each successive king would appoint a Governor in a manner similar to the way the UK monarch appoints Governors-General for the Commonwealth Realms. (Well, she appoints but the relevant PM tells her who to appoint.)
I would be surprised if Prince William converted. Of course who knows? If he did seriously want to become Catholic, his sense of duty to his job would probably prevent him. If he insisted I’m sure the UK / Commonwealth Realm governments could find a solution perhaps similar to the Saxon one.
All that to say that, since the King was head of the Lutheran Church, each successive king would appoint a Governor in a manner similar to the way the UK monarch appoints Governors-General for the Commonwealth Realms. (Well, she appoints but the relevant PM tells her who to appoint.)
I would be surprised if Prince William converted. Of course who knows? If he did seriously want to become Catholic, his sense of duty to his job would probably prevent him. If he insisted I’m sure the UK / Commonwealth Realm governments could find a solution perhaps similar to the Saxon one.
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HaroldA
Guest
I see your point but the theoretical exercise was interesting.
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Picky_Picky
Guest
Yes, and it has occurred to me, too, that the Supreme Governorship could be put into commission, as it were. That might enable the CofE to remain established (although not in a satisfactory way: who would anoint and crown the king, for instance?)
All the rest of the difficulties would remain, of course.
Perhaps we could address the matter again when the Catholic Church opens the headship of state of the Vatican City State to non-Catholics.
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guanophore
Guest
I think it is the secular atheism that is the biggest driver to change such things. The less the population cares about religion, the more likely laws and traditions based upon religious principles are likely to be overthrown.
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