I think Tony Blair is a really decent kind person, who is
desperately looking for Jesus, his and our only hope.
unfortunately he won't find him in the Roman Catholic Church,
because that church abandoned our only guide God's Word
long ago. The Roman Catholic Church in reality esteems
God so little that they break the second commandment in
all their churches (Exodus Chapter 20), amongst other
offences they committ against the Almighty.

Philip, Dorset, England

Superstitious beliefs are irrelevant to reality whether their origin is political or religious.

Whichever place Tony Blair and Ann Widdecombe are finally destined for, I wouldn't want to be there. Would you?

Makonde, Kingston, UK

Is this really an issue in this day an age?

TJ Cassidy, Arlington, Virginia, USA

It is my opinion that the best leader is one that can have a personal religion/ideology and keep it that way. The more interfacing of religion and government, the worse the government.

Wes Byrd, Iowa City, USA/Iowa

Why is one man's acceptance of mental bondage news?
Surely the story should be about much larger number of people like me who, having been born into a family whose lives were controlled by Irish priests including members of the Cardinal's immediate family, managed to escape from the horrors of Roman Catholicism .
Obtaining freedom from superstition and narrow mindedness is what should be making the news.

P Collings, Wallingford, Oxon

One of the attributes we're told characterised Jesus of Nazareth was humility. I don't believe Blair could not have arranged to be accepted into the faith by a Catholic bishop somewhere - in his home town, say - and not mention it until later, assuming there was any need to mention it at all, till he was asked. Why is the highest Catholic in the land necessary? I'm sure humble Mr Blair would have chosen Pope Ratzinger if he could have done to perform the initiation ceremony or whatever these people do.

Andy Armitage, West Wales, United Kingdom

You haven't mentioned the war! If the Catholic church was seriously against it, they should have refused to receive Blair unless and until he apologised for all the deaths and misery he has caused. I'm afraid, though, that they are very keen on high-profile converts.

M. Williams, Oxford, UK

Anyone who chooses to accept the authority of another, in this case the Pope and the Church's tradition, in matters ethical and spiritual merely demonstrates his own incapacity for critical thought. The same goes for anyone who believes something because it is in the Bible or the Koran, or indeed anyone who disbelieves it because it is in either of those books.

Richard Baron, London,

“It’s quite wrong for a spouse to be a sponsor? is it not a fact that Cherie was the one who converted Tony to her faith? I admire Cherie Blair for bringing her lost husband back to the flock.

Tonton, London,

Blair has decided to become a Catholic then. So what?

Rodney Barker, Gainsborough, England

John F. Kennedy was a catholic, the great president of USA,since Abraham Lincoln, but he change his deeds !!!!!!!
I wonder what's gone-wrong with Tony Blair, I am sure Blair is a lucky guy, everything fall on his lap; from Segfield selection to
leader of Labour party, decade our pm-uk.
Now changing religeon why ? Cllr Ken Tiwari (Oxford UK)

Cllr Ken Tiwari (Independent), Oxford, United Kingdom

Despite the English Civil War, Glorious Revolution, European Enlightenment, French Revolution and numerous other national revival movements which fought to separate religion from matters of state, a few of the more conservative Catholics still don't get it. The first duty of political leaders is to the electorate, and not to Catholic (or any other) doctrine.

This move is a logical one for Tony Blair, to join with the rest of his family. But is exactly that - a personal decision

Richard Madge, Bexhill, UK

It just shows that by taking a firm stance and not deviating from your positions you become more popular. People may not agree with you, but at least they know where you stand. As an Anglican in America, I've even thought of doing a Tony Blair. I am disheartened and sickened at the way the Church has backed off of issues. There is a big difference between acceptance and inclusion, and condoning certain behaviours. I think this is where we Anglicans have got it wrong and the Romans have it right. In my opinion, to say we love and accept you, but certain behaviours are wrong is completely appropriate. I think it is nice to see a whole family who worships as one, not INTERfaithless (ie 2 different religions) and let the children decide "later". He should have done it sooner for his family. Smaks of having a fascade to get elected.

J A, Dallas, Texas USA

Why not Moselm?

Austin Tassletine, South West, UK

May I suggest that people take the time to really understand what St. Augustine was really up to. Tony Blair is a modern day St. Augustine. The pair of them are so arrogant it beggars belief! Honestly, give a man a smattering of esoteric knowledge and he thinks he is God almighty!

Roger Myrddian, peterborough,

Oh, great. So, he'll listen to God, but not his people.

Angus, Montreal,

Who Cares

Al, Kent,

The level of petty mindedness and cynicism reproduced here and levelled against a single individual, who happens to be called Tony, is pitiful. I admire the man for having the humility to follow his conscience and accept the fundamental truths about existence. If atheists bothered to think hard enough they would realise that Theism is much more firmly rooted in reality than their position. Atheism refuses to accept the simple fact that existence is caused by the essence of existence, the pure Act of Being with no potentiality = God. Atheism is simply blind faith in oblivion - huh? For sure Blair realises what the ramifications are of his conversion to the Catholic Faith. Who is without sin? Spare us the self-righteous scoffing about lengthy visits to the confessional, please. Haven't you heard? God is all mercy and compassion, Mr Blair may have faults but no one is beyond the reach of Divine Love. A humble contrite heart Lord, you will not spurn. God bless you TB & Welcome Home!!

Christopher Griffiths, Liverpool, England

Wonder if the pope will resurect that old important job of head book burner - yes mr. catholic you can read this, no mr. catholic you cant read that and give it to Tony. Catholicism equals spiritual suppression.

neil stanley, southend ,

His conversion is good enough for the Pope and Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury wishes him well.

It's not cool to become a Catholic. Nowadays there is some cost.

But he can't do anything right in the sight of Fundamentalist Atheists, some Protestants and some Catholics.

Leo, London, UK

Who cares!

Janet, Essex , UK

When Tony Blair was PM he championed women becoming MPs at Westminster. Now he joins the Roman Catholic Church which fully disbars females from attaining the office of ordained clergy.
When PM he promoted family values, children and education. Yet he joins the church which insists all clergy cannot marry and therefore cannot become parents, at least not legally?
Everything this man does is politically motivated. There are many people who believe his goal is to aspire to be the first President of Europe. Becoming a Roman Catholic switches him into the largest church group in Europe and thus his new found allegiance endears him to the majority of countries who will have a vote when choosing the person for this high office.

ALAN CHAPMAN, BINGLEY, UK

This man is a hypocrite and there is nothing more to say. Decency is not a word he knows. Poor Catholics, yet another member of their church who will bring them a bad reputation.

Judy , Liverpool, england

From one delusional state to another. I hope he has an appreciation of the 'time' he's going to have to spend in Purgatory for all the venial sins he's committed, along with the mortal sins for which he has sought forgiveness.

Having abandoned Catholicism at the age of 19 as its dogmas were obviously contrary to nature and reality, I ought to find it disturbing that a mature person, with a good education and some skills in argument, should choose to go down this route. However, given his mendacity and prevarication during his public life, I can only assume he wasn't as bright as he was painted. Watch out Tony. God knows what was in your heart when you did al those awful things. He will weigh your soul in the balance against all those souls who died because of your vanity.

Take the veil. Renounce the world and its vanities and then perhaps I might consider forgiving you. I suspect it would take a damn sight more for Christ to.

Bill Q, Derby,

What I would`nt give to hear his first confession"Forgive me father for I have sinned,this is my first confession, as you and your founder know I`m a straight kinda guy so let me say before we go any further I did what I did cos I thought it was right and when I informed Jesus of my intentions on various matters I was not aware of any important differences of opinion" etc.,etc.,

jerymeedy, caerphilly, uk

Make sure you don't get behind Tony Blair in the queue for the confessional. He could be in there a long time repenting his sins. Just think of all those people that have died due to his policies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Keith, Ashford,

I am not happy with the constant referals by the media to Tony Blair's 'Catholic' conversion, not because he has converted from one branch of the Christian Church to another, but because in actual fact he has converted from being an Anglican to being a 'Roman Catholic' with 'Roman' being the opreative word. Sadly this subtlety between (Catholic & Roman Catholic) has escaped the print media by and large. I might also point out that one can still be catholic without being a Roman Catholic ~ Tony Blair is now a Roman Catholic.

ARTHUR FORTUNE, DUBLIN, IRELAND

Can we expect a Christmas message from Pope Tony and Mother Cheriesa - I do hope so and may they always remain ever so humble as always !

TD, London,

I am not a Christian, but I am happy that Blair has religious convictions and has decided to commit himself to being a Catholic. Cynics may mock, but St Augustine led a highly secular life without morality until his dedication to the holy life. Blair did the honorable thing, he was elected as a secular man and waited until he left office to pursue his personal beliefs. If only more UK politicans would have a religious ethos and live by the commandments of the Holy Bible, This country is being torn apart, and what religion remains is alien to this country and dominated by fanatical extremists because the teachings of the church are mocked despised and ignored.

Anne Wotana Kaye, London, England

One way of asking for the forgiveness of his sins, Should say a prayer for his mate GW Bush. Take a long time in the confessional to do the right thing. Hypocrite Praise the Lord & pass the ammo.

C Smith, Burlington, Canada

So what's new, he has believed so many fallacies in the last ten years, this one will not change anything.
Alan.

alan frankcom, solihull, UK