kelee877
12-22-2007, 03:45 PM
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Former British PM Blair converts to Catholicism
22/12/2007 2:21:26 PM
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Former British prime minister Tony Blair has converted to Catholicism.
Tony Blair speaks during his only Canadian stop on his international speaking tour in Calgary, Alta., on Friday Oct. 26, 2007. (CP / James Stevenson)
Blair's official spokesperson told the British Broadcasting Corporation that the former leader converted to Catholicism on Friday night, adding that it was a private matter.
Blair was received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor during Mass in the chapel at Archbishop's House in Westminster.
"I am very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church," the cardinal said.
"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."
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, leader of the world's Anglicans, extended best wishes to Blair.
"Tony Blair has my prayers and good wishes as he takes this step in his Christian pilgrimage. A great Catholic writer of the last century said that the only reason for moving from one Christian family to another was to deepen one's relationship with God. I pray that this will be the result of Tony Blair's decision in his personal life."
There had been long speculation that Blair would convert to his wife Cherie's faith after leaving office. The Middle East peace envoy had been member of the Church of England, an Anglican denomination.
The couple's children have attended Catholic schools and Blair has habitually attended Catholic, rather than Anglican, services.
Blair visited the Vatican and met with Pope Benedict XVI in June as one of his last official visits while in office.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor joined the two leaders during the visit. Blair also met with Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said Blair's spiritual journey "was not improvised, has lasted a long time and has been deep and serious.''
Lombardi said that the Catholic community was "happy to welcome such a prominent person ... at the end of a deeply spiritual personal path.''
In an interview earlier this year, Blair told the BBC he refrained from discussing his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled "a nutter."
Seventy-two per cent of Britons identify themselves as Christian with many identifying themselves as Anglican, according to the country's last census.
The Church of England was first established in the 16th century after King Henry VIII, who was married six times, broke from the Roman Catholic Church in a dispute over divorce.
With files from The Associated Press
Former British PM Blair converts to Catholicism
22/12/2007 2:21:26 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former British prime minister Tony Blair has converted to Catholicism.
Tony Blair speaks during his only Canadian stop on his international speaking tour in Calgary, Alta., on Friday Oct. 26, 2007. (CP / James Stevenson)
Blair's official spokesperson told the British Broadcasting Corporation that the former leader converted to Catholicism on Friday night, adding that it was a private matter.
Blair was received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor during Mass in the chapel at Archbishop's House in Westminster.
"I am very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church," the cardinal said.
"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."
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, leader of the world's Anglicans, extended best wishes to Blair.
"Tony Blair has my prayers and good wishes as he takes this step in his Christian pilgrimage. A great Catholic writer of the last century said that the only reason for moving from one Christian family to another was to deepen one's relationship with God. I pray that this will be the result of Tony Blair's decision in his personal life."
There had been long speculation that Blair would convert to his wife Cherie's faith after leaving office. The Middle East peace envoy had been member of the Church of England, an Anglican denomination.
The couple's children have attended Catholic schools and Blair has habitually attended Catholic, rather than Anglican, services.
Blair visited the Vatican and met with Pope Benedict XVI in June as one of his last official visits while in office.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor joined the two leaders during the visit. Blair also met with Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said Blair's spiritual journey "was not improvised, has lasted a long time and has been deep and serious.''
Lombardi said that the Catholic community was "happy to welcome such a prominent person ... at the end of a deeply spiritual personal path.''
In an interview earlier this year, Blair told the BBC he refrained from discussing his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled "a nutter."
Seventy-two per cent of Britons identify themselves as Christian with many identifying themselves as Anglican, according to the country's last census.
The Church of England was first established in the 16th century after King Henry VIII, who was married six times, broke from the Roman Catholic Church in a dispute over divorce.
With files from The Associated Press