When Prince William and Kate Middleton walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey on Friday, Britain’s unique and historic ties between church and state will be on full display.
Some here think ”” even hope ”” the royal wedding could also be the last powerful stroll for church and state in this increasingly secular country.
The Duchess of Cornwall is a Roman Catholic? Um….
Does not the Monarchy rest upon establishment? Who crowns the King if not the AoC. Or does he simply presume to crown himself?
carl
The monarchy rests upon the good will of the body politic represented by the prime minister. Maybe he’s the one who ought to do the crowning.
[blockquote]8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.[/blockquote]
We would do well to remember Psalm 24
Wow, I didn’t know Camilla was RC, either. I guess that’s another reason why Charles couldn’t marry her instead of Diana, even if she hadn’t ditched him while he was away in the military.
Quite honestly, I’ve been impressed with William and his choice in Kate (Catherine). He seems to be a very level-headed, committed, and compassionate young man. Kate freely chose to be confirmed in a private ceremony a few months ago to affirm her commitment to the Church. I don’t think they’ll take their responsibilities related to the Church lightly.
Teatime2 (a Terry Pratchett fan?) correct, the children (if any) would have to have been raised as RCs a very big no no! Interestingly you will never see this raised is the “popular press” must be too complex for them!
The COE, which is quite fuzzy on a number of important issues has recently blocked a move to repeal/modify the act of succession to allow a Roman Catholic to ascend the throne. The reasoning would have made Cranmer proud! The sovereign, as supreme head of the COE can not owe loyalty to the bishop of Rome. (a foreign prince)
If the Duchess of Cornwall were RC, Charles would be barred from the throne. I’m surprised that Fr. Harmon would link to an article with such obvious inaccuracies.
Yes, I do enjoy Terry Pratchett’s books, Reinert. 🙂
OK, I did a quick Google. It doesn’t appear that Camilla is an RC but her first husband was and they raised their children as RCs (althought as adults, her kids chose to be married and attend the C of E). I can’t find anything that says she converted. She was baptised C of E. Sounds complicated, lol.
I can’t realistically see the CofE being disestablished by voluntary act of the church and the parliament. Its a bit like the republic debate in Britain and Australia – it has a veneer of traction because it acts as a lightning rod for the dissatisfaction of a multitude of disparate groups, but as soon as a concrete proposal appears, suddenly the support level drops.
However, I can foresee the CofE being de facto disestablished by the establishment of a rival Anglican body in England, if such a body enjoyed sufficient support to be a viable contender as the “real” Anglican church. Rowan Williams through his pig-headed pursuit of a liberal agenda which is loathsome to many of his most committed church members seems intent on bringing that about. One can only watch and wonder.