Church of England reportedly blocked reform of British anti-Catholic law

An effort to amend the Act of Settlement, which bars any Roman Catholic from succession to the British throne, was blocked by an intervention from the Church of England, the London Daily Telegraph reports.

Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, had been working to repeal the Act of Settlement, which was originally passed in 1701. But his effort has been sidelined, the Telegraph says, because the Church of England objected.

According to the Telegraph, Anglican leaders of the pointed to the incongruity of having a Catholic serve as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The opposition could also reflect a degree of rancor aimed in reaction to Pope Benedict’s open invitation for Anglicans to enter the Catholic Church.

Alex Salmond, the leader of the Scottish National Party, expressed concern at the report that a “much-needed and long overdue reform has been shelved,” and asked Clegg for a clarification.