Alan Harper is the new Archbishop of Armagh and Anglican Primate of Ireland. He succeeds Robin Eames, who retired in December. Known as a man of dialogue, the new Primate, 62 years old, lost no time in pronouncing his opposition to the Act of Settlement of 1701, which prevents Catholics and anyone who marries a Catholic from ascending the throne of England. “It has served its day”, he declared in an interview with the Dublin daily, the Irish Times. The repeal of the Act, said Harper, could also have repercussions for the Anglican Church, headed by the Queen. In the view of the new Irish Primate, the separation between State and Church would be the best solution for the Church of England. As also pointed out by Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, under the terms of the Act, Prince William, heir to the throne, can legally marry a Hindu or Buddhist or a lady of any other faith, but not a Roman Catholic” and still become king.
