Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair completed his conversion to Roman Catholicism last week. In a private ceremony with friends and family, Blair officially became a Catholic.

Although Blair was born an Anglican, many have speculated over the years that he would convert. Shortly before he became prime minister, Blair began attending Catholic mass. His wife, Cherie Booth, is a Catholic, and all the Blair children have been christened into the Catholic faith. The former prime minister’s visit with the pope in June made conversion seem all the more inevitable.

Blair’s conversion has led to much debate. Many question his repentance over policies he voted for while in office that went against Catholic teaching. Others hail it as a conversion like Saul’s on the road to Damascus. The more cynical point out that being Catholic certainly won’t hurt his ambitions in Europe, nor his relationship with his Catholic wife.

Conspicuous for its absence, however, is debate about Catholicism’s history in Britain. The pope and armed Catholics have tried repeatedly to regain Mary’s Dowry. Not long ago, Britons still burned effigies of the pope as part of the nation’s annual Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) every November 5, which celebrates the foiling of one of the Vatican’s such attempts.

The Trumpetwrote a month ago: “[S]ince the pope claims authority over all Roman Catholics, a Catholic British monarch would owe primary allegiance to Rome over and above that owed the British crown.” The same would apply to a Catholic prime minister. This is why, in the past, the merest whisper that a minister of the crown was attending Catholic mass would have provoked a massive public response; Blair’s effigies likely would have burned alongside the pope’s.

In more recent times, however, ties between the Vatican and Anglicans have been strengthening. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in May this year:

This is a shocking development, considering the history of the Roman Catholic Church and England. Anglicans are embracing the bitterest enemy against the British throne! The history behind that throne is incredibly inspiring. You can read about this in last month’s Trumpetcover story. That throne is the greatest of all physical thrones by far, and a supreme blessing from the great God. If you understand its history and prophecy, you know that it is in fact the throne of King David of ancient Israel—the very throne, according to the Bible, from which Jesus Christ is about to rule! That royal throne is the hope of this world. (To understand why, request a free copy of our booklet The Key of David.) But the British have turned their back on God. Now they are grasping for another throne.

A former prime minister is embracing “the bitterest enemy against the British throne.” Sincere or not, this should be the subject of public outcry. However, the English today couldn’t care less whether the pope controls England or not.

This children’s rhyme is known to nearly all in Britain:

Remember, remember the 5th of November,Gunpowder treason and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder treasonShould ever be forgot.

Nevertheless, despite this popular rhyme, it has been forgotten.