Blair insists he is not converting to Catholicism

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday dismissed speculation he is converting to Catholicism.

The denial follows reports Mr Blair, an Anglican, had expressed an interest in joining his wife Cherie and their four children in the Roman Catholic faith.

It was sparked by remarks made by Father Timothy Russ, the priest who presides over communion at Chequers.

Fr Russ was reported as saying: “If you ask me do you think he wants to become a Catholic, I would say yes.”

The priest said Mr Blair had even asked him: “Can the Prime Minister of Britain be a Catholic?”.

But yesterday, during his visit to Hungary, Mr Blair dismissed the claim.

He said: “I am saying no.

“Don’t they run this once a year?

“I think they do. Every year I get this. My wife is a Roman Catholic.” The prime minister has consistently denied he plans to convert from the Anglican faith.

There would be no constitutional barrier, even though he recommends to the Queen - who is head of the Church of England - candidates to be appointed C of E bishops.

Prior to war with Iraq, Mr Blair had a private audience with the Pope in the Vatican, and regularly worships at Catholic churches with his family.

Fr Russ later appeared to be backing away from his earlier comments.

He said the prime minister had scarcely attended his church in recent years and he did not believe that conversion was something he was actively thinking about.

Fr Russ told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Midday programme: “I don’t think his mind is on that matter. I think his mind is probably, quite rightly, on other matters, like foreign affairs and heaven knows what.”