Protestant Leader Ian Paisley Calls Tony Blair A Fool For Converting To Catholicism

 

The founder of the Free Presbyterian Church and long-time critic of the papacy in Rome made clear his unhappiness with the former Prime Minister’s decision to join the Catholic church.

Mr Blair has said his decision was fuelled by his wife Cherie winning the battle over where the couple should go to Mass.
Mr Blair has suggested that switching to Catholicism in 2007 was like 'coming home' and is 'where my heart is.' 
But he received a frosty reception from Rev Paisley, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, with whom he often discussed religion.
Mr Blair said he wanted to tell the former Northern Ireland First Minister in person about his decision, even though he knew he would be unhappy about it.

But Rev Paisley dismissed him with a four-word response and walked off. The encounter on the day Mr Blair formally joined the Catholic church emerged in a new BBC documentary about Rev Paisley’s career in politics.

The pair were leaving a private meeting in 2007 when Mr Blair revealed his plans. Rev Paisley said:

 ‘As we were walking down the stairs he stopped, he looked back at me and he said “Ian there is something I need to tell you”.
 ”When the hands of that clock”, and he pointed to a big clock that was on the wall, “When the hands of that clock, when they come to eight o'clock I will be a Roman Catholic”.
‘And he said “I didn't want you to leave without telling you, I'd rather tell you myself”. ‘And I said “You are a fool” and I walked on.’ Dr Paisley claimed Mr Blair's grandmother had urged him against ever marrying someone from the Roman Catholic faith or converting himself.