Veritas Temporis Filia: Part 4
The anniversary of Queen Mary's death was just two days ago. Interestingly, the day before on November 16, there was a special service at Westminster Abbey--with Queen Elizabeth the Second and her family in attendance--to honor the anniversary of the King James Bible. Probably the most famous English translation of the Bible, it was published during the reign of King James I in 1611, four hundred years ago.
This was fifty-three years after the death of England's first and, to date, only Catholic queen regnant. But even that has changed recently. Since times immemorial, succession has always favored sons before daughters; and since 1689, any Catholics, or Anglican heirs who marry Catholics, have been barred from inheriting the English throne. But as of October 28 of this year, succession now favors age over sex, which means an older sister will not get passed over for a younger brother simply because she is a girl. Also, any heir who marries a Catholic will not be stricken from the succession (but the heir himself, or herself, still has to be Anglican to succeed, because the head of the Church of England is still always the reigning monarch).
It's amazing, the tug-of-war in England has gone through over religion. And not just them, but innumerable countries around the world have struggled and fought over the same questions: Which way is the right way? Which faith is the true faith? Mary I should be commended for following her faith despite every persecution and tragedy that came her way, but I don't believe that she was right as a ruler to force that faith on other people in such a brutal way. Honestly, I think her sister, Queen Elizabeth I, had it right when she said, "There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith. All else is a dispute over trifles."
This was fifty-three years after the death of England's first and, to date, only Catholic queen regnant. But even that has changed recently. Since times immemorial, succession has always favored sons before daughters; and since 1689, any Catholics, or Anglican heirs who marry Catholics, have been barred from inheriting the English throne. But as of October 28 of this year, succession now favors age over sex, which means an older sister will not get passed over for a younger brother simply because she is a girl. Also, any heir who marries a Catholic will not be stricken from the succession (but the heir himself, or herself, still has to be Anglican to succeed, because the head of the Church of England is still always the reigning monarch).
It's amazing, the tug-of-war in England has gone through over religion. And not just them, but innumerable countries around the world have struggled and fought over the same questions: Which way is the right way? Which faith is the true faith? Mary I should be commended for following her faith despite every persecution and tragedy that came her way, but I don't believe that she was right as a ruler to force that faith on other people in such a brutal way. Honestly, I think her sister, Queen Elizabeth I, had it right when she said, "There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith. All else is a dispute over trifles."
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