I propose that the Act of Settlement 1700 (c.2) is amended to remove the anti-Catholic elements of s.1, amendment of s.2 to remove the ban on Roman Catholics taking the throne (and corresponding amendments of the Coranation Oath to remove the need to uphold the Protestant line) and amendment of s.3 to remove the requirement for the monarch to be in communion with the Church of England.
Why the contribution is important
Although the UK is one of the most permissive countries in the world in terms of conscience and belief, there are some ingrained prejudices which remain in both culture and law. Since the Reformation there have been many laws enacted to oppress and restrict the liberties of Roman Catholics in Britain. Thankfully, most of these have been repealed in the 19th Century and have so Catholics are largely treated as equal citizens with those of other faiths. However the Act of Settlement 1700 remains a blantant example of religious bigotry and has real effects on the lives of British citizens. Several members of the royal family has been removed from succession due to the Act or have had to sacrifice important relationships in order to remain in line to the throne. This has included the Queen's own grandson.
While the relationship between the Church of England and the Crown is another matter which would require much more detailed debate, I believe that the above amendments would be simple to implement and would send the message to Roman Catholics in Britain that the last remnants of discrimination in English history are going to be swept away.
The current surplus of heirs to the throne means that the implications for the Church of England will not take place for many years, and as such this important amendment could be put before Parliament at the earliest possible convenience. Given the Pope's upcoming State Visit, such an amendment would send an important message of further co-operation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Government.
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The continual neglect of the abused rights up to the doorstep of Mr Ratzinger.
These allegations should be addressed first. Any legal religion acts and conducts it’s self according to the law.
1. Future pope (Benedict) refused defroking of convicted priest
2. Ex Nun calls for Pope to resign over sex abuse scandal
Reporter gets slapped by then Cardinal Ratzinger
3. Pope still protecting pedophile bishops
4. Interesting video animation that lists Vatican sins against children for 2000 years!
5. Pope Benedict refuses to explain his actions with pedophile priests
6. Ratzinger's Ex-Students Express Scepticism (AP)
Heresy of the Week (Catholic monastery proves Ratzinger a bad "Catholic")
7. New pope shelved sex abuse claim, accuser says
Ratzinger and Paedophilia in the Church
8. Strange Quotes of Joseph Ratzinger
9. Ratzinger elected head of Inquisition (re-named "Holy Office")
10. Furor between UK, Germany over Nazi Pope
11. Books exposing Vatican - Hitler connection
Pics of Ratzinger in Nazi clothing
12. "Holy Office" memo instructing SECRECY BE USED IN DEALING WITH CHILD RAPE!
13. Ratzinger forces website to shutdown because of photos of him as a Nazi The Hitler / Vatican connection
The Pope that helped Hitler ?
14. Pics of the Catholic prelates with Hitler ?
Can you verify this Letter, or is it a Hoax?
15. Ratzinger DENIES CHRIST as Saviour ?
16. British docu alleges Pope linked to 'child abuse cover-up'
17. Documentary claims Pope in child abuse cover-up
Did Ratzinger salute Hilter ?
18. Pope's immunity could be challenged in Britain
19. US Jewish leaders denounce Catholic sermon
Pope's preacher compares abuse row to anti-Semitism
20. Ratzinger signed document protects priest and ignores victims ?
21. Pope has immunity in abuse trials: Vatican ?
22. Vatican tries to block attempt to make Pope face US court ?
23. Clergy abuse threatens to tarnish pope's legacy.
Address these issues first. Mr Ratzinger should not be permitted in the UK while these issues and allegations continue and are not fully addressed.
The continual neglect of the abused rights up to the doorstep of Mr Ratzinger.
These allegations should be addressed first. Any legal religion acts and conducts it’s self according to the law.
1. Future pope (Benedict) refused defroking of convicted priest
2. Ex Nun calls for Pope to resign over sex abuse scandal
Reporter gets slapped by then Cardinal Ratzinger
3. Pope still protecting pedophile bishops
4. Interesting video animation that lists Vatican sins against children for 2000 years!
5. Pope Benedict refuses to explain his actions with pedophile priests
6. Ratzinger's Ex-Students Express Scepticism (AP)
Heresy of the Week (Catholic monastery proves Ratzinger a bad "Catholic")
7. New pope shelved sex abuse claim, accuser says
Ratzinger and Paedophilia in the Church
8. Strange Quotes of Joseph Ratzinger
9. Ratzinger elected head of Inquisition (re-named "Holy Office")
10. Furor between UK, Germany over Nazi Pope
11. Books exposing Vatican - Hitler connection
Pics of Ratzinger in Nazi clothing
12. "Holy Office" memo instructing SECRECY BE USED IN DEALING WITH CHILD RAPE!
13. Ratzinger forces website to shutdown because of photos of him as a Nazi The Hitler / Vatican connection
The Pope that helped Hitler ?
14. Pics of the Catholic prelates with Hitler ?
Can you verify this Letter, or is it a Hoax?
15. Ratzinger DENIES CHRIST as Saviour ?
16. British docu alleges Pope linked to 'child abuse cover-up'
17. Documentary claims Pope in child abuse cover-up
Did Ratzinger salute Hilter ?
18. Pope's immunity could be challenged in Britain
19. US Jewish leaders denounce Catholic sermon
Pope's preacher compares abuse row to anti-Semitism
20. Ratzinger signed document protects priest and ignores victims ?
21. Pope has immunity in abuse trials: Vatican ?
22. Vatican tries to block attempt to make Pope face US court ?
23. Clergy abuse threatens to tarnish pope's legacy.
Address these issues first. Mr Ratzinger should not be permitted in the UK while these issues and allegations continue and are not fully addressed.
The only defenders claim that people of a catholic up-bringing like yourself would be offended if he were not given £12m. So: who is right - yourself or BBC equality and diversity trainers who claim that everyone within a culture agrees with its leaders?
I have been on an equal opps course by Mr Twitzel or some such name from Divesity Works who used to work for the BBC. If you stated a discordant fact he would say something like "Ah- we have a rebel here". I'm glad they no longer employ him. I'm sorry I had to listen to him when he went freelance. I hope no real serious people believe that everyone within a group such as catholics believes in every wrongdoing by its leadership such as dodgy middle aged misogonist homophobic pompous men. I won't say the next bit which everyone knows. It might be libellous.
If this act was repealed then Anti Sectarian laws can be tightened and we ought to ban both "sides" "claiming the highway" on certain dates of the year. Its time to stop organising people by their differences and start celebrating the commonalties of modern life. Lets kick these dinosaurs (sectarin thinkers) into touch.
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