UK Prime Minister's Catholic Faith Prompts Law Change for Church Appointments

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is moving to repeal a historical ban that prevents Catholic and Jewish individuals from advising the monarch on senior Church of England appointments. The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill is scheduled for a single-day passage through the House of Commons.

Burnham, the first practicing Catholic to hold the office of Prime Minister, has until now delegated the responsibility of advising on Church appointments to the Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris. This delegation was a necessity due to the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which prohibits individuals professing the Roman Catholic faith from influencing such decisions. A similar restriction was introduced for Jewish office-holders through the Jews Relief Act of 1858.

In a written statement last month, Burnham stated that a legislative bar preventing individuals of any faith from performing all the functions of his office is "unacceptable." He described the bill as a means to "correct this antiquated and archaic anomaly" and enable prime ministers of any religious background to fulfill their duties.

Historically, prime ministers have advised the monarch on appointments such as archbishops, bishops, and cathedral deans within the Anglican Church. However, the process is largely symbolic, with candidates identified and interviewed by a Church committee. The Prime Minister's and the King's approval are sought only after a candidate has been selected and accepted the post, according to Cabinet Office guidance.

The government asserts that the bill aims to "modernize the law" and allow the current Prime Minister, and any future Jewish or Roman Catholic Prime Minister, to fully execute their responsibilities.

This issue resurfaced previously when Boris Johnson, who was baptized Catholic but confirmed in the Church of England, was Prime Minister. Reports indicated that upon his marriage at Westminster Cathedral in 2021, he had 'reverted' to Catholicism and would pass on his duties related to Church of England appointments to his Lord Chancellor at the time, Sir Robert Buckland.