Leo seems to sense a pull to the right in domestic politics that could subvert the integrity of the Christian message of social peace and harmony.

This changing of the guard in the Catholic Church in England and Wales coincides with the arrival of a new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, currently the Bishop of London, who has spoken in similar terms about the threats of national division, particularly over immigration. Edmund Burke remarked that “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall …” There is a necessary alliance waiting to be forged between Moth and Mullally. Anyone thinking that historic tensions between Catholics and Anglicans might stand in the way should heed the message of the state visit of the King to the Vatican earlier in the year, featured also in his widely watched and appreciated Christmas message. Charles, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, clearly regards the Pope as more than just the leader of the Roman Catholic part of Christianity.

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