The archbishop of Westminster called for a repeal of the age-old ruling as he prepared to take part in a multifaith service to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth´s coronation.
«I think with regard to the Act of Settlement, it´s not really and shouldn´t be relevant in today´s world and today´s Britain,» the cardinal said of the 1701 law governing the marriage of an heir.
«After all,» he added, «it´s not so much that it is an act of discrimination against Roman Catholics — which it is — but it seems to me to be discrimination against the royal family.»
Cardinal Murphy-O´Connor said the present law needed changing so that Prince William could marry someone of any faith.
«He can marry by law a Hindu, a Buddhist, anyone, but not a Roman Catholic,» the cardinal said. «That seems to me anomalous and I think it should go.»
