If Queen Elizabeth II converted to Roman Catholicism, what would happen? Would she have to abdicate?

Question

Okay, I know that there is very little chance of this happening. But then again, with all the changes and conflict in the Church Of England right now, you never know...

If the Queen all of a sudden converted to Roman Catholicism, what would happen?

Answer 1

she would have to abdicate straight away in fact she would need to abdicate before it was the act of settlement 1700 i believe which said that no catholic may sit on the throne come to the throne or even be in the line of succession this is why when peter Phillips got married his wife had to convert to c of e or peter would automatically loose any rights he may have being 11th in line to the throne that is why in 1714 when queen Anne died it passed to George who became George I of Britain even though Anne actually had male relatives that were closer than George because they were catholics they were not permitted to accend the throne. when princess Micheal of Kent married prince Micheal of Kent she remained a catholic therefore prince Micheal of Kent can not there fore remain in the line of succession

Answer 2

The Queen is the titular head of the Anglican Church;if she were to convert she'd probably try and change the constitutional ammendment that  says the sovereign must be Protestant before actually going though with the process.Otherwise,I think she'd have to step down. Here's why I think this is the case:

In the oath the sovereign promises to mainain the Church: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4708

"In his or her coronation oath, the Sovereign promises to maintain the Church.

The Sovereign must be in communion with the Church of England, that is, a full, confirmed member. "

And from http://www.royal.gov.uk/ouput/Page5655.a...

"The succession to the throne is regulated not only through descent, but also by statute; the Act of Settlement confirmed that it was for Parliament to determine the title to the throne.

The Act laid down that only Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia - the Electress of Hanover and granddaughter of James I - are eligible to succeed. Subsequent Acts have confirmed this.

Parliament, under the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement, also laid down various conditions which the Sovereign must meet. A Roman Catholic is specifically excluded from succession to the throne; nor may the Sovereign marry a Roman Catholic.

The Sovereign must, in addition, be in communion with the Church of England and must swear to preserve the established Church of England and the established Church of Scotland. The Sovereign must also promise to uphold the Protestant succession."

So,unless the Queen were to make some changes BEFORE she'd convert,there would be a lot of problems for her and she'd have to abdicate.

Answer 3

According to the Law of Succession she would have to abdicate. A Roman Catholic cannot sit on the UK Throne. The monarch is also the supreme Head of the Church of England.

Answer 4

The King that converted to Catholicism on his death bed was Charles II (in 1685). Since he had no heirs his Catholic brother was became King. That's what started the whole "no-Catholic" law in 1701.

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There seems to be a mass exodus of the family of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (age 72; #24 in line for the throne). His wife, both of his sons, and three of his grandchildren have gone to the other side. He, personally is not excluded since his wife was not Catholic when he married her 46 years ago.

= Lady Amelia Windsor will be 13 years old next month. She is the last grandchild the Duke has from his sons. It is presumed that she will follow the lead of her family and convert when she reaches the age of 15.

Answer 5

the queen wouldn't change her religion she takes it very seriously so no she wouldn't abdicate

Answer 6

It's an interesting question and I'm afraid the law isn't very clear about it.

It is certain, of course, the heir must belong to the Anglican Church UPON successioin, however it doesn't specify what would happen if he/she were to convert.

I guess the decision of the kind would be so controversial that the Monarch would have to abdicate, unless the Parliament clarified the matter in a way that would prevent that.

There is also a possibility that should any such thing happen, it would have been a perfect occasion to change the current laws and allow equal rights to Anglicans and Catholics.

This said, I still believe that while the current law that prevents people in the Line of the Succession marrying Catholics will be abolished some time in future, it would always be desirable that the Monarch himeslf/herself does belong to the Anglican Church. He/She would be the Head of the Anglican Church, after all.

Answer 7

She would have to abdicate her throne. I don't see why she would need to though. The belief systems of the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church are almost identical. matter of fact (random fact) if you're a priest of the Anglican Church you can become a Catholic priest without any extra training. The other way as well. The Anglican Church was separated from the Catholic Church due to one incident with divorce, lack of children all that. If you haven't heard about that whole fiasco well, you will. There's no way you can live your entire life without hearing about it.

Answer 8

Yes, she would have to abdicate.  She's head of the Church of england, and she can't be head of teh church of england if she is a Catholic.

Answer 9

T'will never happen! The pope would turn Protesant before Queen Liz would turn Catholic.  She is steeped in the COE orthodoxy and heads the church. She is also named after one of the premier advocates of the COE, Queen Liz 1.

It would cause rebellion and social disgrace.

Answer 10

http://www.royalty.com

http://www.monarchy.com

                               good  luck,... bye,..