Church Keeps Catholics Off British Throne

Anglican leader must not be subordinate to pope: Church of England
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 25, 2011 11:28 AM CDT
Church of England Keeps Catholics Off British Throne
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave the Easter Matins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Sunday, April 24, 2011.   (AP Photo/Chris Ison)

Royals are free to marry atheists, agnostics, Jews, and Muslims—but don’t expect a Catholic wedding anytime soon. The British government recently attempted to end a policy, in place for centuries, that bars marriages between royals and Catholics ... but the Church of England blocked the move, the Telegraph reports. A Catholic parent must raise his or her children in the faith, meaning such a marriage would lead to a constitutional conflict: As "Supreme Governor," the future monarch would one day be head of the Anglican church—but, as a Catholic, ultimately under the pope's authority.

“The Government accepts there are provisions which could be discriminatory,” said a rep for Britain’s deputy prime minister. “Amending the laws regarding succession to the throne is a complex and difficult matter that requires careful and thoughtful consideration." (Click for a royal wedding story involving ... Facebook.)

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