Tony Blair Attributes Conversion to Wife, 'Universal Nature' of Catholicism

0
By Charles Boyd , Christian Today Reporter
August 30, 2009|7:13 pm

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said his conversion to Catholicism two years ago began with his wife, and that "there was something" about the universal nature of the Catholic Church that made the switch from Anglicanism feel right to him.

“Frankly this all began with my wife,” Blair said during a gathering of the Communion and Liberation Committee this past week in Rimini, Italy. “I began to go to Mass and we went together. We could have gone to the Anglican or Catholic church – guess who won?”

Going further, Blair told members of the Catholic ecclesial movement Thursday that switching from the Church of England (Anglican) to the Catholic Church was like “coming home,” and the latter was now “where my heart is.”

 “As time went on, I had been going to Mass for a long time ... it's difficult to find the right words. I felt this was right for me. There was something, not just about the doctrine of the Church, but of the universal nature of the Catholic Church,” he said, according to London's Evening Standard.

In his speech, Blair also made a brief reference to his political life in the Labour Party, from which he said he “learned many things.”

“I began hoping to please all of the people all of the time; and ended wondering if I was pleasing any of the people any of the time. But that's another story,” said Blair, who served as prime minister of the United Kingdom for ten years and leader of the Labour Party for 13.

Follow us

“In my foundation – dedicated to respect and understanding between the religious faiths – I always say clearly I am and remain a Christian, seeking salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ,” he added.

Copyright © 2009 Christian Today. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Advertisement
Top Stories

Oklahoma Woman Finds Dog Buried Alive After Tornado During CBS Interview

"Thank you, God," Barbara Garcia whispered repeatedly as she tried lifting the bits of wreckage covering her precious pet and companion who she thought had been lost after a powerful tornado ripped through parts of Oklahoma ...

Christian Leaders Ask Boy Scouts to Keep Current Policy on Gay Scouts

A statement signed by 48 Christian leaders asks ...

Greg Laurie: 4 Words That Can Change Your Marriage

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church in Southern ...

Former US Secretary of Education: Is College Worth It?

With the cost of higher education skyrocketing, ...