BLAIR MOVES TO ROME

Old news of course, but a few months ago, it was announced that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, raised an Anglican (one step from Rome), had been received in the Roman Catholic Church. I saw this apt letter today from the Guardian about his conversion.

Blair's conversion and the archers of 1066


Monday December 24, 2007
The Guardian

How times change when it comes to full communion with the Catholic church.

After the battle of Hastings substantial penances were imposed on William the Conqueror's soldiers by the bishops at the Council of Westminster. Even the archers who fought at long range and did not know whether they had killed anyone had to do penance for three successive Lents.

They got off lightly. After the battle of Soissons (923) all those who took part had a year of excommunication, and then bread and water only, for three days a week. Tony Blair has had it easy.
Bruce Kent and Valerie Flessati
London