Good thing a PM is neither! ;-)
One is elected, one is not.
Of course, mixing politics and religion is probably a bad thing all 'round!
Posted on 12/22/2007 5:07:27 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Tony Blair joins Catholic faith Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has converted to the Catholic faith.
His wife Cherie is a Catholic and there had been speculation that he would convert to Catholicism from his Anglican faith after leaving office.
Mr Blair's official spokesman confirmed he had converted on Friday night and said it was a private matter.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said he was "very glad" to welcome Mr Blair, who is now a Middle East peace envoy, into the Catholic Church.
'Nutter' fear
One of Mr Blair's final official trips while prime minister was a visit to the Vatican in June where he who met Pope Benedict XVI.
Downing Street refused to comment on his conversion, saying it was a family matter.
Earlier this year, the former prime minister told the BBC that he had avoided talking about his religious views while in office for fear of being labelled "a nutter".
His ex-spokesman Alastair Campbell once told reporters "We don't do God," but has since said that his former boss "does do God in quite a big way".
Regular worshipper
Mr 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.
The cardinal 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Good for him!
Chalk one up for the true Church
Legitimate question.
Legitimate question.
It's what happens when government decides to do religion.
Grrr... papistry....
In all honesty, what is the difference between the Anglican faith and being Catholic? Besides listening to the Pope and all.
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/blairerc321.html
LONDON - 22 December 2007
Tony Blair becomes Catholic
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. This took place during Mass in the chapel at Archbishop’s House, Westminster yesterday - it was announced this morning.
Mr Blair has been receiving doctrinal and spiritual preparation from Mgr Mark O’Toole, the Cardinal’s private secretary.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor commented: “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 Reception of baptised Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church is a liturgical rite by which a person who is already baptised is received into full communion with the Catholic Church. The rite normally takes place within the celebration of Mass.
A baptised Christian who wishes to become a Catholic receives doctrinal and spiritual preparation adapted to individual pastoral circumstances.
A pastoral discernment is made regarding the length of catechetical formation required for each individual candidate for reception.
The rite involves making a profession of faith.
It is part of the office of the diocesan Bishop to ensure that those to be received are properly formed and welcomed into the Catholic Church.
Before the profession of faith and reception the candidate should make a confession of sins. They are asked to inform the confessor that they are to be received into full communion.
At the reception a candidate should be accompanied by a sponsor.
WOW! Great news!
Popery or is it Pot-pourri?
“Chalk one up for the true Church”
Trying to start a fight on Saturday morning?
I don’t blame how. Its hard to see how anyone with real faith could belong to a Church that has (apparently) lost faith in itself.
Trying to start a fight on Saturday morning?
Qui? Moi?
On a doctrinal level, it is clear that the Church of England has willfully abandoned the Gospel and embraced modernism.
True Church?
Flame bait?
Flame bait?
I prefer Petrine to Pauline. It is the choice of the Guy at the top.
I am happy to know that Tony Blair takes his religious beliefs seriously.
Good thing a PM is neither! ;-)
One is elected, one is not.
Of course, mixing politics and religion is probably a bad thing all 'round!
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