Ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair received into Catholic Church

Published: 2007-12-24

LONDON (CNS) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair became a Catholic during a private ceremony in London. Blair, previously an Anglican, was received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster. Blair was sponsored at the Mass of reception by his wife, Cherie, a Catholic. The Dec. 21 Mass at Archbishop's House, the cardinal's private residence, was attended by Blair's family and close friends. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said in a statement Dec. 22 that he was "very glad" to welcome Blair into church. "For a long time he has been a regular worshipper at Mass with his family and in recent months he has been following a program of formation to prepare for his reception into full communion," the cardinal said. "My prayers are with him, his wife and family at this joyful moment in their journey of faith together." Blair, 54, served as British prime minister from May 1997 until June 2007.

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