Tony Blair has insisted that his conversion to Roman Catholicism was not a rejection of the Church of England. He has voiced regret that he was not more open in talking about religion during his time in office, although he admits he held back from converting while he was prime minister because of the “palaver” it would have caused.
In an interview about his religious faith, to be broadcast tomorrow, Mr Blair batted away suggestions that he may have held off from converting earlier in his life for fear that Catholicism would exclude him from the highest political office.
Mr Blair was reticent about discussing his faith while in office and his press secretary Alastair Campbell once famously commented that “we don't do God”.
Mr Blair said he feared he would be viewed as a “nutter” by voters if he spoke about religion.
In Christmas Voices, to be broadcast on BBC One, he expresses regret that he was not more “adventurous” and says it should not be the case that politicians have to be inhibited about talking about God.
Mr Blair left little doubt that it was fear of the reaction from the public and the media that led him to delay his conversion, even though he had been attending Mass for 25 years and was raising his children as Catholics.
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(Source: TTO)