The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 5

The Guardian Thursday December 72000 5 republic Mixed Catholic reaction to the call for change The church Human rights issue acknowledged but fears remain about role of religion in society Spokesman for the Most Rev Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster "Changing the Act of Settlement would raise wider constitutional issues that would need careful thought and wide consultation." John Wilkins, editor of the Tablet: "The Guardian is quite right as regards Catholics. There is a clear infringement of religious liberty. I think the act is a real anachronism and frankly insulting. I am sure Prince Charles thinks so too. That does not mean I support getting rid of the monarchy.

There is a fear that this is the thread which when pulled unravels the whole constitution." Ann Widdecombe, shadow home secretary and convert to Catholicism: "Repeal would be inappropriate as long as the sovereign is also supreme governor of the Church of England. The sovereign can't be anything but a member of the Church of England until it is disestablished and that would remove the last fig leaf of any claim to be a Christian country." Charles Moore, editor of the Daily Telegraph and also a convert to Catholicism: "I would be prepared to see the Act of Settlement reformed. I think a Catholic or a Jew or a Muslim could in fact be supreme governor of the Church of England. It is not a theological role, it is a question of a balance of power in politics." both for a modern state and for the church. Why should the prime minister appoint bishops, or bishops sit in the Lords by virtue of their appointment? "We have the situation where the heir to the throne can be an adulterer but not marry a Catholic.

He can go against the most basic moral principles of the church and still be its supreme governor." The Rev David Haslam, chairman of the Christian Socialist Movement, said: "We believe it is quite improper and wrong to discriminate against different Christian denominations and that aspect of the Act of Settlement should be set aside forthwith." Members of other faiths welcomed the Guardian's move to challenge the Act of Settlement. Padmesh Gupta, the president of the United Kingdom Hindi committee, said: "This kind of discrimination is not right at this time when people all over the world should think first of their humanity rather than their religion." Yousuf Bhailok, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Prince Charles has been a good friend of the Muslim community and we share his views that he wanted the monarchy, in a multi-cultural society, to be the defender of all faiths." Anthony Haviland-Nye, director of the British Buddhist Association, said: "In this day and age, everyone, whether they be at the bottom or the top, should have freedom in matters of conscience. The act is clearly incompatible with the human rights convention." The Board of Deputies of British Jews, and a number of prominent Jewish commentators, did not wish to be drawn into the debate. would uphold the constitutional settlement." Dr David Hope, the Archbishop of York and a leading member of the Anglo-Catholic wing of the church, is on record as calling for change. His spokesman, the Rev Rob Marshall, said his views had not changed since he told a journalist at the end of last year: "It is a very negative kind of arrangement at the moment.

I cannot really see why members of the royal family should not be free to marry whom they will. "We are living in a different age and a different climate and the arrangements should reflect that: Some movement or accommodation is necessary, bearing in mind the warm relationships between Roman 'It is a very negative kind of arrangement at the moment' Catholics and other churches in this country." The Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, bishop of Winchester, who speaks on constitutional matters for the church was cautious about any attempt to dismantle the legislation. He said: "A monarchy stripped of its religious significance would not be of longstanding. A state whose reference point was purely secular would be quickly markedly less tolerant not only to the broad range of religions but to secular organisations as well. "I find it very frustrating that these things are bandied about as if thinking about issues which have been developed over 1,000 years is quite simple and straightforward.

The Guardian should be thinking about the implications more." Canon Paul Oestreicher, of Coventry cathedral, said: "The Stephen Bates Religious affairs correspondent and David Pallister Senior members of the Church of England were divided yesterday over whether the 1701 Act of Settlement should be repealed to allow the monarch or heir to the throne to marry a Roman Catholic, reflecting fears about the implications for the church's standing and the implications for society generally. Fissures run deep within the church an indication of the continuing symbolism and significance of a 299-year-old statute. All those contacted by the Guardian, however, had avidly read our coverage. At Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury's press secretary asked incredulously: "You want a response from here? We think the simple answer is that very often seemingly straightforward proposals are often nothing of the sort. "We are very aware of the human rights issue but that is by no means the only factor.

It is difficult to grasp the whole thing. "The process the Guardian is undertaking to raise the issue is obviously at its earliest stage and we will be watching closely to see whether it comes to anything. Palpably, there can't be a debate unless there is progress in bringing a case. "You cannot presume that the archbishop would not oppose the prince marrying a Catholic. He would seek to follow the law of the land and he ilium nHiiuM'itririiii Links www.worldfreeinternet.net parliamentsettlement.htm Full text of the Act of Settlement (from American parliament campaign) www.royal.gov.uk Official British monarchy website www.monarchy.netcma.htm Constitutional monarchy association http:members.tripod.co.uk moveagainstmon Movement Against the Monarchy York: 'We are living in a different age and a different climate' Photograph: Graham Whitby-Boot How other salaried heads of state get by in modest palaces J.

Graham's 523 5 Tomorrow Roy Greenslade on the press and the palace, and Bill editor oj on why the right favours a republic too passion for great Port." Extensive background and interactive guide to the civil list on the Guardian network at www.guardianunlimited.co.uk monarchy litical activity is forbidden: though he appoints the prime minister and chief justice, they are first designated by the Diet (parliament) and the cabinet. Only members of the imperial family retain princely titles the sisters of Emperor Akihito, though daughters of Hirohito, no longer have titles. The emperor lives in a walled, moated palace of 62 rooms, rebuilt in 1968, with 285 acres of grounds in the middle of Tokyo. There are 1,150 imperial employees costing 142m a year. An annual tax-free salary of 1,764,705 also pays for some personal staff members and the living expenses for the empress and their immediate family.

Denmark In a monarchy modelled on British lines, the popular Queen Margrethe II has weekly briefings from the prime minister and foreign minister and is required to sign all legislation, which is only valid if counter-signed by a minister. The royal family has a small palace, the Amalienborg, in the middle of the capital, Copenhagen, and a larger palace for official duties the Christiansborg elsewhere in the city. The family also has a palace at Marsclisborg near Arhus and often spends winter at the Fredensborg Palace. I'm not in favour of the monarchy -that's pretty well known. I'm a democrat and I believe in electing people to power.

I think it should be abolished and there might not be a majority for it yet but there will be Dennis Skinner, MPforBolsover Mil Just to find someone popular is a terrible one stays for long. way is a republic, head of system accountable EkowEshun, journalist critic Act of Settlement is a joke and of course it ought to be repealed. It is a trivial anachronism and totally inappropriate year and can take senior governmental or official jobs. He is also entitled to free accommodation, a car, a driver, a bodyguard and two secretaries. United States The US president is elected every four years and can serve for two terms.

His chief duty is to protect the constitution, enforce the laws made by Congress, and head the armed forces. Presidents can recommend legislation, call special sessions of Congress, veto bills, conduct official business with foreign countries, grant pardons for offences against the US, and appoint federal judges, heads of federal departments, and ambassadors. The current annual salary is 147,000 (fixed since 1969), plus up to 37,000 for expenses and 73,500, tax-free, for travel and official entertainment. Proposals to double presidential pay starting next year were recently thrown out by Congress. When he leaves office in January, Mr Clinton will draw an annual pension of $151,800 (111,617) plus a similar amount for staff.

Mrs Clinton will receive a pension of $20,000 Japan The emperor has no powers related to government, and po I'm a republican but If we're going to keep a royal family it would be vastly better if it was one on the Scandinavian model, where the kings and queens are regarded as normal citizens Michael Frayn, author and playwright Dr David Hope, Archbishop of Spain The Spanish monarchy eon-forms to standard rules these days in having the King.Iuan Carlos I as head state but not politically involved. The constitution says he "arbitrates and moderates the regular working of the institutions, assumes the highest representation of the Spanish slate in international relations and performs the functions expressly conferred on him by the constitution and the law." The royal family has the use of eight palaces, mostly in and around Madrid though there's also one on Majorca and one in the Canaries. Belgium King Albert II 's income is index-linked to a civil service list. The family has a formal palace in the middle of Urussels and a more modest Victorian mansion where they live a few miles away in I he suburbs at Laekcn. The Belgian monarch has wide powers.

Although on succession he must be approved by parliament, the king has the nominal right to nominate the government and to dissolve parliament. He signs all laws and is responsible for executing them. No action of the monarch has any consequence, however, without a ministerial counter signature. The best idea would be to have the Speaker of the House of Commons, so that the head of state was at the centre of democracy. Betty Boothrayd would have been great.

Howard Brenton, playwright by The International Wine Challenge, Graham's has repeatedly won more top aivards than any of its competitors. Since 1993 Graham's has won a record total of 15 Gold Medals for its Ports including, this year, a Gold for Malvedos 1988 Vintage Port more rewards PASSION. Writing in the Wine Spectator, the distinguished commentator James Suckling said of Graham's, '77k; consistently outstanding quality of its Vintage Ports illustrates a passion for making great Port'. Graham's Malvedos 1988 Vintage Port is one of the award-winning fruits of that passion. In blind tastings held each year High office The division of power and privilege Stephen Bates It does not have to be like this.

Other monarchs do not have as many prerogatives and privileges as ours and most of them have fewer personal assets too. Even eleeted heads of state manage on mueh smaller salaries than our monarch. France The Freneh president is eleeted for seven years, nominally appoints the prime minister and has to approve ministerial appointments. He is in charge of foreign policy, is head of the military, conducts weekly cabinet meetings, can dissolve parliament and call elections and referendums The president is paid a year and receives a further 595,260 for the upkeep of the Klysee Palace, 781,990 for personal staff, 345,971 for travel costs and 196,208 to meet the costs of the ear pool: a total of 1.96m. He has the use of several chateaux.

On retirement, France's head of state receives a civil service-linked pension of 34,123 a Should we be able to choose our head of state after the end of this Queen's reign? Yes, yes, grown up needs to It's that in the century subjects citizens. If have them, them as pieces Rahams MALVEDOS ton ft VINTAGE TORT of "a making 2000 tfl yes. A country do that. extraordinary 21st we're still not we must have decorative YasmlnAlibhai-Brown, social commentator more than them idea. No popular The only proper an elected state in a which is and www.grahams-port.com.