Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the changes proposed today, but don't the media understand why the Catholic issue was ever a problem? They sound today like they think it was some kind of inexplicably weird caprice back in the late 17th century. John Locke was quite a smart bloke. Why do you think HE got a bit exercised about the topic?

We Catholics - and the rest of the world - dont understand it Pru, why dont you explain it to us?

Some bloated fat old King wanted rid of his wife ... and the Church forbade it, so he invented his own church, and proceeded to persecute (and kill) anyone who would not conform.

Thats about it, isnt it ?

Prunella Minge wrote:
John Locke was quite a smart bloke - HE got a bit exercised about the topic

Spot on Pru.....excellent point.

In The Know wrote:
We Catholics - and the rest of the world - dont understand it Pru, why dont you explain it to us?

Some bloated fat old King wanted rid of his wife ... and the Church forbade it, so he invented his own church, and proceeded to persecute (and kill) anyone who would not conform.

Thats about it, isnt it ?

No, it isn't. It was about sovereignty. Do some research.

Yes, he did, LO. On the main topic, the key period of debate was the mid 17th century/early 18th century. Nothing really to do with Henry. More to do with the Civil Wars, the Glorious Revolution and the end of theocentric politics encouraged by the likes of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Obviously I'm not condoning religious intolerance - I'm simply trying to point out that this history isn't trivial politically. What's missed today by the media (and, seemingly, politicians) is that the only reason there isn't an equivalent law to be overturned as far as the Prime Minister is concerned is simply down to the fact that the office of Prime Minister does not exist in a formal constitutional sense. That said, it still remains a fact that any future Prime Minister who professes a faith that obliges him to acknowledge a higher authority to that of Parliament is going to spark a constitutional crisis, so that's far more pressing a topic for revision than monarchical faith.

Locked Out wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Henry VIII go to his death in the belief that he was a good Catholic?

Yes indeed LO.

The problem with the reformation in england was while it had a lot of support it was done for the wrong reasons,and badly done.
Of course as Pru said earlier their are constitutional reasons for the current laws,not least the monarch is also head of the CofE,not the easiest job for a catholic.