Andy Burnham is set to be appointed prime minister of the United Kingdom on Monday, becoming the first leader in the country’s history to be a lifelong Catholic. Although Catholics were barred from even being members of Parliament until the early 19th century, modern Britain is largely a secular state. According to the latest census in England and Wales, fewer than half of respondents identified as Christian, while 37% stated they belonged to no religion.
Despite its secularism, the British state retains deep historical ties to Protestant Christianity. The king holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and the prime minister traditionally plays a formal role in appointing its bishops. While this role has long been considered largely symbolic, a parliamentary briefing suggests that Andy Burnham may be required to officially delegate this part of his duties.
Historical context and religious barriers
The Church of England emerged after King Henry VIII‘s break with Rome, which later fueled religious rivalry. Protestants viewed Catholic leadership as a threat to sovereignty, helping spark the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the overthrow of the last Catholic king, James II. Legislation passed in 1829 and 1858 removed most legal barriers for Catholics.
Andy Burnham describes Catholicism more as part of his cultural identity than as a deep personal faith. He has Irish roots and attended a Roman Catholic school. His mother, Eileen, recalled that he and his brothers were altar boys, and Andy Burnham himself always wanted to be at the front, holding the chalice for communion.
Political views and religious identity
In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, Andy Burnham listed his priorities as follows: Everton FC, the Labour Party, and the Catholic Church. He is a longtime Everton supporter and compares his religious identity to supporting the club: You remain an Everton fan; you can stop going to church but still remain a Catholic.
After meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2023, he told The Telegraph that he felt the magnetism of the place, though he does not see himself as a fully practicing Catholic. Andy Burnham emphasized that Catholic social teaching has largely shaped his political views, and Labour Party policies are closest to these ideas.
Religious ambiguity is not new for British leaders. Boris Johnson, prime minister from 2019–2022, was baptized in the Catholic Church but raised as an Anglican. Tony Blair, who led the government from 1997 to 2007, officially converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism only six months after resigning. The first prime minister of Jewish descent was Benjamin Disraeli in 1868, and in 2022, Rishi Sunak became the first practicing Hindu to hold the position.
Source: The New York Times
