Cardinal attacks 'state-sponsored' bigotry of 300-year-old law

BY MARK GREAVES
CARDINAL Keith O'Brien has mounted a vigorous attack on the "state-sponsored sectarian discrimination" inherent in the 1701 Act of Settlement.
The spiritual leader of Catholics in Scotland said that many parts of the country continued to suffer from a "shadowy sectarian culture".
The cardinal argued that this sectarianism would continue to thrive until the British constitution is changed to amend the Act of Settlement, a law that prevents Catholics or anyone who marries a Catholic from ascending to the throne.
He said in an interview with Scotland on Sunday: "Our constitution contains legislation which describes my faith as 'the popish religion' and defines me and my co-religionists as 'mists'. That this arcanely offensive language
enjoys legal sanction is outrageous. Anyone who seriously believes that introducing legislation aimed at eradicating sectarian attacks, which are often verbal, white elements of the very lexicon of hate they seek to abolish remain on our statute books is indulging in wilful ignorance."
1-us comments come amid the launch of new initiatives by the Scottish Executive to combat sectarianism. "Ile Scottish government has not, however, sought to amend the Act of Settlement.
The Cardinal said he "endorsed" the Government's bid to eradicate sectarianism, but called on Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, to push for a change in the law. "How can the state in the form of the Scottish Executive claim that religious discrimination is wrong, when the state in the form of an act of Parliament states that it is right?" he said.
He continued: "Clearly, the Act of Settlement cannot be repealed or replaced by the Scottish Executive or the Scottish Parliament. It is a matter reserved to Westminster. I accept that.
"I do, however, implore all those involved in anti-sectarian initiatives at every level to accept and acknowledge that this legislation constitutes a blight on their efforts and its repeal would dramatically improve the prospects of their work bearing fruit."
Mr McConnell is preparing to call a summit on sectarianism for the autumn, which Catholic and Protestant leaders are expected to attend.
The cardinal's cause was joined this year by Scottish Nationalist MPAlex Salmond, who called on Tony Blair in Parliament to repeal the law.
He urged the Prime Minister to "set out a clear timetable for the removal from the statute book of the Act of Settlement", but Mr Blair rejected the plea.
Mr Blair has conceded that the legislation is "plainly wrong", but so far ministers have reftised to back an amendment, blaming the legislative complexities involved. Any change to the Act would have to be ratified by 15 Commonwealth parliaments and would require amendments to at least eight separate acts stretching as far back as 1688.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said that ministers would be focusing their energies on an "action plan" to combat sectarianism. The Government has so far tried to modernise the way marches are handled by local authorities, and has introduced "football banning orders" to prevent fans caught singing bigoted songs from attending matches.