British PM aims to end law barring Catholics from input on Anglican officials

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Thursday announced plans to introduce a bill ending what he characterized as an archaic anomaly in the country’s laws. Burnham said that the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 barred him, a professing Catholic, from fulfilling his constitutional duty of advising the king on appointments for official positions in the Church of England and Church of Scotland. Burnham would soon spearhead a bill to change that prohibition, he said.

For now, Burnham had transferred the largely symbolic advisory responsibility to Lord Chancellor Alex Norris, he said. Norris’ religious beliefs were unclear.

Burnham also noted that another law, the Jews Relief Act of 1858, prevented people of Jewish faith from advising the king on such appointments. The new bill would also remove that barrier, he said.

The Church of England did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Burnham’s plans.

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