Scottish Catholic Observer

Speaking to an Irish newspaper the cardinal made clear his hostility to the act, that not only forbids a Catholic to accede to the British throne, but also stipulates that anyone in line to the throne who marries a Catholic forfeits their claim to the monarchy.

“I find it sad that there would still be something like that on the legislative statutes. This law forbidding Catholics to sit on the throne—or preventing anyone who is monarch from marrying a Catholic—is deeply upsetting. I am told that it is too complicated to dismantle the legislation; but it seems to me when other complicated issues of legislation need to be looked at—such as changes to the House of Lords—then it can be done quite comfortably and easily,” he said.

In the past the cardinal has described that portion of the Act of Settlement as evidence of Britain’s blatantly anti-Catholic character, and has pointed out that Catholics in Scotland were vastly more likely to be the victims of sectarian violence than their Protestant neighbours.

That situation has improved enormously, according to the cardinal, with sectarianism on the wane. He points to the success of Pope Benedict’s recent visit as evidence of changing attitudes.

He was confident that the Holy Father’s recent visit to Scotland would be a success, despite misgivings in some quarters.

“The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh City Council and Glasgow Council all officially welcomed Pope Benedict, and I believe that indicates a greatly changed attitude,” he said.

In the past the cardinal has spoken out against civil partnerships, stem cell research and the ordination of women for the priesthood.