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Catholic PM Burnham pushes anti-discrimination law to advise King on Church bishops
Andy Burnham races through anti-discrimination bill to advise King on Church of England bishops.
In brief
Andy Burnham races through anti-discrimination bill to advise King on Church of England bishops. Catholic UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pushes bill to repeal ban on Catholic and Jewish leaders advising on Church of England bishops. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Catholic PM Burnham
Andy Burnham will push an anti-discrimination law through the Commons in a single day today.
Law to repeal ban
Labour will get all the lower house stages of the Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill through on Wednesday.
Catholic PM role
Mr Burnham is the first practising Catholic in No10 and has transferred responsibility for advising on Church appointments to Alex Norris.
Historical barrier
A Georgian law, the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, places a block on 'any person professing the Roman Catholic religion directly or indirectly' from advising on Church of England appointments.
Jewish barrier
The Jews Relief Act 1858 introduced a similar barrier for Jewish office-holders.
Burnham's statement
In a House of Commons written statement last month, Mr Burnham said it was 'unacceptable for there to be a legislative bar against people of any faith performing all the functions' of his office.
Bill purpose
The Bill would 'correct this antiquated and archaic anomaly', he added, and allow prime ministers practising any religion to give their advice.
Next steps
Once it passes the Commons it will have to pass the Lords before being given Royal Assent and becoming law.
Symbolic role
The PM's role in religious appointments is largely symbolic, with candidates interviewed and selected by a Church committee.
Approval process
According to official guidance from the Cabinet Office, approval from the PM and the King is only sought 'once a candidate has been chosen and accepted the post'.
Government statement
The Government said the short, targeted Bill will 'modernise the law to enable the PM, and any future Jewish or Roman Catholic PM, to carry out the complete functions of their office'.
Historical context
The constitutional conundrum over Church of England appointments was previously raised when Boris Johnson was PM.
Boris Johnson's background
As a baby, Mr Johnson was baptised into his mother's Catholic faith but later confirmed into the Church of England while at Eton College.
Boris Johnson's Catholicism
It was reported he would 'revert' to Catholicism when he married Carrie Symonds at Westminster Cathedral in 2021.
Boris Johnson's handover
It was reported at the time of his wedding that Mr Johnson would pass his duties on Church of England appointments to his Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Buckland.
The takeaway
Catholic UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pushes bill to repeal ban on Catholic and Jewish leaders advising on Church of England bishops.
