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