Catholic Tastes

I have to confess to be being a bit disappointed the weekend's Royal wedding attracted only a modicum of controversy. First, the bride herself. She is not blue-blood; has the temerity to work for a living and worst of all has a new-age name of Autumn (Kelly). Secondly, the 'heppy' couple had flogged the rights to the pictures to Hello! magazine for half a million quid. And thirdly Princess Beatrice's choice of hat (left) was the sort of fashion disaster only batty old Great Aunt Margaret used to perpetrate. At least the headgear distracted us loyal royal watchers from Beartrice's increasingly 'Osmond Family' looks.
But there was barely a mention of Autumn's (for it is she) decision to renounce her Catholicism to preserve Peter Philips 11th-in-line-to-the-throneness. For all the Windsor's overbearing arrogance this, almost medieval, discrimination is not strictly their fault.
The majority of England's anti-Catholic legislation was brought in personally by Elizabeth I - but much was repealed in the 19th Century. Yet the prejudicial Act of Settlement 1701 remains firmly on the statute book, ensuring no-one may remain in the Royal family if they wish to lower themselves by marrying a Catholic. It would look utterly shameful if there were similar bigoted legislation against Jews or Moslems. But despite this constitutional overhaul being overdue for about 300 years the Government fails to act. The argument put by successive Governments is it would require equivalent legislation across the Commonwealth. The same answers are given when the issue of male succession is raised. However the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles 1971 stresses the "liberty of the individual and equal rights for all." Putting it on the 'too difficult' pile just doesn't wash.
The new Constitutional Reform Bill announced by Gordy last week contains a few sensible measures to clarify the political roles of the Attorney General and Lord Chancellor. But it does not seek to pontificate on this point. Any Members of Parliament could lay an amendment to this Bill to seek to finally overturn this historical embarrassment. It just so happens my MP, John Gummer is a member of the Catholic church. I feel some lobbying coming on - will keep you posted.