[Ken Regis]

I have to admit, I did not know that the Church of England did ashes on Ash Wednesday.

I thought that was exclusively Catholics.

[Campion]

Latin Rite Catholics, Anglicans, most (all?) Lutherans, some Methodists and (I believe) some Presbyterians have Ash Wednesday as the beginning of Lent.

Lent for most Eastern Catholics (and, this year, Eastern Orthodox) started last Sunday evening. It begins with "Forgiveness Vespers," which involves asking forgiveness from those in your family or religious community, not the imposition of ashes.

[fidelis]

I have to admit, I did not know that the Church of England did ashes on Ash Wednesday.

The issue is not that he didn't receive ashes (even for Catholics that's optional), but that he entirely ignored saying something about Lent, but marked the beginning of Ramadan.

I thought that was exclusively Catholics.

As someone noted above, a wide variety of Christians practice this custom to mark the beginning of Lent, not just Catholics. In fact, in Catholic churches, one does not even have to be a Catholic to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Anyone can attend the service (it is not always a Mass) and receive ashes. I once heard a priest say in New York City, where he ministered, Ash Wednesday was the most crowded event of the year because of all the non-Catholics coming to get ashes.