Tony Blair enters the Catholic Church

From today's edition of the Globe and Mail:

LONDON — Former prime minister Tony Blair has left the Church of England and converted to Catholicism, the faith of his wife and children.

Mr. Blair converted during a mass Friday night at the private London chapel of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the church said.

“I'm very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church,” Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said.

The church said Mr. Blair had been a regular worshipper at mass with his family and in recent months had been following a program leading to his reception into the church.l

There had long been speculation that Mr. Blair planned to convert to Catholicism.

Although he was an Anglican, Mr. Blair attended Catholic masses at Westminster Cathedral with his wife Cherie.

The couple's children have attended Catholic schools.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who is the spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans, wished Mr. Blair the best in his spiritual journey.

“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.”

William Doyle, a reader from Prince George, Canada left the following remark on the Globe and Mail page:

Blair is now in good company in that Adolf Hitler also was Roman Catholic. I guess we will soon see George bush also join their Church.

Which doesn't really explain why Hitler killed at least three million Catholics. But, hey, that's the state of popular discourse in some circles these days.

Meanwhile, Christianity Today lists its Top Ten stories of the year, which includes, at #8, the reversion of Francis Beckwith.

And in news that is remotely related, at best, Beliefnet.com has a list of nominees for "Most Inspiring Person of 2007" that includes an actor, an actress, an environment activist, and a football coach. For what it's worth.

Speaking of lists, on New Year's Day I'll post "The Best Books I Read in 2007...", a collection of recommended books read by Ignatius Press authors, editors, and friends, a follow-up to last year's popular "The Best Books I Read in 2006..."

Comments

[BillyHW]

Santo Subito!

[Gail]

Please tell me why Angelina Jolie was one of the nominees for most inspiring person. Sure, she has done some good work with orphans and what the site calls "children of war." And she was also an interesting choice for Grendel's Mother in "Beowulf." But one of the most inspiring people in the world?

I am underwhelmed by Beliefnet's choices, to say the least.

Gail

[Ed Peters]

Poor William. Does he know how many people in Price George have been murders over the decades? And how many people named Doyle are fiends. How can he live with himself?

[Robert Miller]

Good for Blair.

I wonder if, being a politician, he believes being a Catholic has any political consequences. Here's hoping he picks up a few of Belloc's essays on England, the Reformation and the prospects for England's conversion.

Perhaps he might make good on his new confession by leading the cause for repeal of the Act of Settlement. If I'm not mistaken, the Prince of Wales' consort might have a personal interest in the matter as well.

[Cristina A. Montes]

Welcome home, Blair.

[Elaine Biggerstaff]

Oh this is rich. Blair goes from one heretical sect to another and doesn't even have the guts to convert while in office because that would have ruined his political career which is, of course, more important than his eternal salvation as it is for the entire crew of in-name-only "Catholics" in our Congress.