The question of what would happen if Queen Elizabeth II, the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, chose to convert to Catholicism is an interesting hypothetical. The queen is currently the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and plays an important symbolic role in the country’s Protestant Christian heritage. If she were to convert to Catholicism, it would have huge implications for the monarchy and the relationship between church and state in Britain.
In this article, we will explore some of the key issues around royal conversions, the relevant laws, and the potential consequences if the queen did choose to become Catholic. While purely hypothetical, given the queen’s age and lifelong commitment to the Church of England, examining this question provides insight into the close ties between the monarchy and religion in Britain.
The Act of Settlement
Perhaps the most direct impact if Queen Elizabeth II converted to Catholicism would be on the line of succession to the British throne. Under the Act of Settlement 1701, no Catholic can succeed to the throne. The relevant text reads:
“That all and every Person and Persons that then were or afterwards should be reconciled to or shall hold Communion with the See or Church of Rome or should profess the Popish Religion or marry a Papist should be excluded and are by that Act made for ever incapable to inherit possess or enjoy the Crown and Government of this Realm and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging or any part of the same or to have use or exercise any regall Power Authority or Jurisdiction within the same And in all and every such Case and Cases the People of these Realms shall be and are thereby absolved of their Allegiance”
Therefore, if the current monarch converted to Catholicism, she would be disqualified from the succession. As the reigning queen, this would cause a constitutional crisis. It would call into question whether she could legitimately continue as monarch if she has been legally barred in this way.
To avoid this, the queen would have to abdicate or be removed if she wished to convert. The succession would then pass to the next in line, currently Prince Charles, who is not Catholic.
Historical Context of the Act
The Act of Settlement was passed following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw the Protestant William III & Mary II installed as monarch in place of the Catholic James II. It cemented the Protestant succession in Britain. The main aim was to prevent any further Catholic monarchs, following experiences like the reign of Bloody Mary in the 16th century.
Anti-Catholic sentiment was widespread when the Act was passed. There remained a perception that Catholic loyalties lay with the Papacy in Rome, rather than the British monarch. For that reason, safeguards like the Act of Settlement were seen as constitutional necessities to protect the Protestant Church of England. They remain in force today as part of the uncodified British constitution.
The Coronation Oath
Aside from statute law like the Act of Settlement, another issue if the queen converted is the Coronation Oath. When monarchs are crowned, they swear a solemn religious oath to uphold the Protestant faith. For example, when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953 she promised the following:
“Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England?”
If the reigning monarch then converted to Catholicism, it could be argued they had broken their sworn oath to defend the Protestant faith. This would again raise serious questions about the legitimacy of their reign.
For the queen to change her religion while on the throne, amendments to the Coronation Oath would likely be required. Either removing the specifically Protestant elements or having a second coronation using a new revised oath.
Supreme Governor of the Church of England
The British monarch is not simply a passive observer in religious affairs. They have an active constitutional role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This makes them formally the most senior figure within the church.
Although more ceremonial today, originally this role gave the monarch significant powers over the Anglican church. They could define doctrines, appoint bishops, and administer parishes.
Obviously, there is a major clash if the Supreme Governor of the Church of England tried to convert to Catholicism. Effectively, they would be renouncing the religious institution over which they are supposed to be the earthly leader.
At the very minimum, the queen would have to relinquish her Supreme Governorship. More drastically, it may necessitate disestablishing the Church of England altogether, separating church and state. This would mark the end of the Anglican church’s special position as the state religion of England.
Other Constitutional Questions
Beyond the succession and coronation oath issues, there are wider constitutional implications if the queen became Catholic. The monarch is supposed to be an impartial defender of the Protestant faith. Could they really act neutrally and with legitimacy if they were personally Catholic?
The relationship between church and state would fundamentally change. Bishops in the House of Lords who currently serve formally on the monarch’s behalf may need complete reform. The monarch’s role in appointing senior clergy might have to be removed.
Additionally, the monarch’s political influence and access to the Prime Minister could be questioned if their religious impartiality was threatened. Constitutional crises and instability could result unless the situation was carefully managed through detailed negotiations.
Response of the Commonwealth Realms
Queen Elizabeth II is not just Queen of the United Kingdom but also Head of the Commonwealth. This means she is monarch of 16 independent nations worldwide, like Canada, Australia and Jamaica. All of these nations would have to consider their response if the queen converted.
For the most part, Commonwealth realms operate autonomously in regards to religion. But some may still see a conversion as spurring unwanted constitutional debates within their nations. It could raise dilemmas about oaths of allegiance or the Anglican status of national churches.
The queen converting is most likely to accelerate existing republican movements in Commonwealth realms. For example, countries like Australia where there are already proposals to cut ties with the British monarchy. However, the response would vary from nation to nation depending on local circumstances.
Precedents for Conversion
Have any past British monarchs converted after taking the throne? The closest comparable example would be the conversion of Henry VIII to Protestantism in the 16th century. However, Henry founded the Church of England precisely so he could convert without objection, making him Supreme Head of the new Anglican church.
For post-Reformation monarchs aligned with Protestantism, very few have considered conversion to Catholicism as king or queen. Potential heirs have been prevented from taking the throne by the Act of Settlement if converting.
The Stuart King Charles II did controversially convert on his deathbed in 1685. But he announced he was keeping it secret until “such time as it should please God to make the way plain for the public profession of it”. Death intervened before any public profession or constitutional clash.
Conclusion
In summary, if Queen Elizabeth II converted to Catholicism, it would spark an unprecedented constitutional crisis in Britain. Although unlikely given her steadfast Anglican faith, she would have to abdicate if she wished to convert. The Act of Settlement 1701 makes it illegal for a Catholic to reign. A conversion would also break the Coronation Oath and undermine her Supreme Governor role. The response from the Commonwealth Realms adds further complexity. Overall, while merely hypothetical, examining this question provides insight into the ingrained Protestant-Catholic tensions within British governance.