Washington D.C., May 17, 2007 / 12:00 pm
According to the Associated Press, a priest close to Tony Blair says that the prime minister will declare himself a Roman Catholic on leaving Downing Street.
Father Michael Seed, who is known for bringing high-profile politicians and aristocrats into the Catholic fold and who says Mass for the Blairs in Downing Street each week when they are in London, made the prediction to friends at a recent memorial service.
Last night, when contacted by The Times, he did not deny his comments, but said he did not know if Blair would ever be received “formally” into the Roman Catholic Church.
The prime minister’s formal reception into the Church would require him to take part in a process called the rite of Christian initiation for adults (RCIA), followed by Confirmation, and the reception of Holy Communion.