Andy Burnham plans to end ban on Catholics advising on church roles

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to introduce a bill to end legal restrictions that prevent Catholics and Jews from advising the monarch on appointments within the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. In a statement on September 10, Burnham described the existing laws as an antiquated and archaic anomaly.

The restrictions stem from the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 and the Jews Relief Act 1858. These laws prohibit individuals who profess the Catholic or Jewish faiths from advising the Sovereign on ecclesiastical appointments. Because the British monarch serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the prime minister traditionally advises the monarch on the appointment of bishops.

Burnham, the first lifelong Catholic to serve as prime minister, has transferred his constitutional responsibility to advise King Charles III on these appointments to the Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris. He stated that it is unacceptable for a legislative bar to prevent people of any faith from performing all the functions of his office. The government intends to introduce the bill at the earliest possible opportunity to correct the issue.