Vatican hails Blair Church switch

BBC ^ | 12/23/2007 | BBC

[Caravaggio]

The Vatican has welcomed Tony Blair's decision to become a Roman Catholic.

A spokesman said such an "authoritative personality" choosing to join the Catholic Church "could only give rise to joy and respect".

The ex-PM was received into the Church by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor.

It comes as research shows Catholic churchgoers now outnumber Anglicans for the first time since the Reformation in the UK.

Ex-Tory minister Ann Widdecombe - herself a Catholic convert - said Mr Blair's voting record as an MP had often "gone against Church teaching".

[Caravaggio]

It's interesting to note the comments of the ex-Tory MP (herself a Catholic convert) about Blair's voting record that went against Catholic teaching on more than one instance. This was my first thought when I heard he'd converted - whether or not he'd had a change of heart regarding objective moral evils, like abortion, for instance.

[xkaydet65]

Since the number of REGULAR Anglican churchgoers must be similar to the number of Pittsburgh Pirate season ticket holders, it’s probably no biggie for Catholics in England to outnumber them in the pew on Sunday.

[Cicero]

I feel a bit like the grinch, but I’m also curious whether Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, who has presided over a distinct decline in the Catholic Church in England (it just hasn’t declined as fast as the Anglican Church), asked Tony Blair whether he repented of the public sins he committed while Prime Minister.

As a rule, someone coming into the Catholic Church would be expected to make a general confession of sins.

That confession is not something that can be spoken about, but I’m curious to see whether Tony Blair continues to support abortion and sexual perversion. It will not help the Church to celebrate the entrance of yet another dissident or heretical Catholic.

So, having spoken my part as the Grinch, let’s hope it isn’t so.

[AliVeritas]

ping

[Gay State Conservative]

Ex-Tory minister Ann Widdecombe - herself a Catholic convert - said Mr Blair's voting record as an MP had often "gone against Church teaching".

If her claim is true it could mean that he's planning to be a "Kennedy Catholic"....*or*....it could be that Mr Blair has seen the light.I'd encourage Miss Widdecombe to give the man a chance and not to judge him just yet.If ever.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“..like abortion, for instance...”

Or how he, in his final days, delivered England into the hands of the homosexuals.

[GAB-1955]

Besides, no one holds a big announcement to announce Catholics who switch to other Christian denominations. It happens all the time.

[narses]

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[Salvation]

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[narses]

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[GOP Poet]

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[Caravaggio]

The thing is, Blair really should PUBLICLY denounce all the evils he'd previously supported since he MADE them publicly, and remaining silent would in a way cause scandal to the faithful if we are led to believe (having nothing else to go on other than his public record) that he has not changed his mind.

Of course we know that to become a Catholic one must profess to believe in ALL the Catholic Church teaches. Therefore Blair must've - at least by word (hopefully interiorly as well) - denounced his past policies contrary to Church teaching.

It would be helpful if he cleared this up.

I don't think religion in this respect should be a "private" matter. Aren't we told in the Bible not to hide our talents under a bushel but let them be seen and used wisely in the world? Blair has been given much, and this is a great opportunity for him to profess the faith in a big way.

[billmor]

Now Mr Grinch...Tony Blair is a very decent man and now that is is out of the searchlights of national politics it is up to him and his conscience to follow the Catholic Church’s teachings, same as it would apply to any other Catholic...As for his confession, that is strictly private and he does not have to make a public confession..We wish him well and we’re sure it must be pleasing to his wife and family ..

[unspun]

I wouldn’t hold my breath at all, about pro-life being a part of the Blair Switch Project.

[unspun]

I wouldn’t hold my breath at all, about pro-life being a part of the Blair Switch Project.

Edit: pro-wife is more like it, I think.

[xkaydet65]

Not as often as you think. Andrew Greeley did a study that showed most disaffected Catholics actually becoming areligioius,not joining another sect or faith. Anecdotally I see this with my family and friends. Many have left the structure of the Church. Some have ceased any belief. None have sought out another way or faith.

[Edgar3]

The Blair Church Project

[Edgar3]

Oh, how about this: The Blair Switch Project

[Cicero]

Agreed. It’s one thing to turn into a bad Catholic. It’s another to want to join the Church while disagreeing with some of its most basic teachings. Otherwise, instead of making the Catholic Church more attractive in England, it may tend to undermine it.

[GAB-1955]

On the other hand, I know of several Catholics who became Missouri Synod Lutherans when they were disaffected, probably because unlike the other Protestant churches, we did not toss the good things in Catholic teaching with what we see as the flaws of the Catholic Church. I was an Anglican, but I did not leave the Episcopalian Church. It left me! And instead of crossing the Tiber I fled to Augsburg. Here I am, I can do no other, God save me.