Ban on Catholic PM offering Anglican advice set to end 

The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill introduced to the House of Commons on September 15 will mean that, for the first time, Catholic and Jewish Prime Ministers can provide advice on Church of England appointments to the King.

It follows a statement by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham about the restrictions set out in the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 and the Jews Relief Act 1858, which prevent Catholics and Jews from advising the Sovereign on appointments to the Church of England and Church of Scotland. Mr Burnham said he had therefore transferred his constitutional responsibility to advise the Sovereign on Church appointments to the Lord Chancellor.

“It is, however, unacceptable for there to be a legislative bar against people of any faith performing all the functions of my office,” he said. “The Government will therefore introduce a Bill at the earliest possible opportunity to correct this antiquated and archaic anomaly.”

The restrictions discriminated against Jews and Catholics but did not prevent Sir Keir Starmer, an atheist, or Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, advising on Church of England appointments. The new Bill is the first piece of legislation to be introduced under the premiership of Mr Burnham, who is Catholic.

The National Secular Society, which has long campaigned for the anomaly to be corrected, welcomed the move.

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Government to end ‘discriminatory’ ban on Catholic and Jewish prime ministers advising on CofE appointments (By Ruth Gledhill/The Tablet)