Blair and the Catholic faith

Tony Blair's possible conversion to Catholicism has been widely debated in the UK, especially among Catholics. It has long been known that Mr Blair, who is an Anglican, often joins his wife and children when they attend Mass, and at times he has also received Holy Communion.

Following his recent visit to the Vatican and his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, rumours spread that his conversion to Catholicism was imminent. These rumours were neither confirmed nor denied. However, they sparked off a debate which is likely to continue even if Mr Blair finally decides to join the Catholic Church.

Many UK Catholics would obviously be pleased if one of the most popular British prime ministers were to convert to Catholicism. However, the majority have been questioning his "credentials". They are claiming that Mr Blair has consistently supported policies that went against the teaching of the Church on abortion, stem cell research and same-sex unions. Some have even harshly criticised the former Labour Party leader and prime minister for his decision to join US President George W. Bush in his decision to go to war in Iraq.

The general secretary of Pax Christi was reported to have said that Mr Blair's decision to go to war in Iraq "weighed heavily on his conscience as a Christian regardless of whether he converts to Catholicism... He really has to examine his conscience and reflect on how his decisions have undermined the chances of peace in the Middle East."

A correspondent writing in The Catholic Herald accused Tony Blair of defying the Pope (John Paul II) by joining the Americans in the war against Iraq. The correspondent added that Blair's government "has relentlessly pursued an agenda which has undermined family life and attenuated Christian morality by attacking the rights of the unborn child. encouraging experimentation on human embryos, legalising homosexual 'marriages' and effectively killing off the invaluable work of Catholic adoption agencies."

In his regular feature, the columnist "Pastor Iuventus", after writing that about Mr Blair's "inner life" went on to discuss his attitudes towards abortion, research on human embryos and the "very existence" of Catholic adoption agencies. He accused Mr Blair of being responsible "for what we used to call 'scandal'... Mr Blair may well, for all we know, have undergone a total change of heart... As Catholics we know that he needs to if he is to make the declaration required of someone being received into full communion with the Church: that he believes and professes everything the Church teaches..."

The columnist added that if and when Mr Blair were to publicly declare that he is ready to accept the teaching of the Church, he will be a wonderful witness for the Church. "What graces might result for this country when he truly makes his conversion, his change of heart in public."

However, the writer said, with regard to "this radical change of mind... we have as yet heard nothing. When we do, he will be a very powerful 'catch' for the Church."

Will Mr Blair publicly declare that he is ready to accept totally the teaching of the Church? Only time will tell. He is reported to have said that the "issue of his faith remains 'unresolved'. Things aren't always as resolved as they might be." Let's hope that they will finally be.