Mike Parry is outraged at the prospect of Prince William severing his ties with the Church of England, and he made his feelings clear on GB News.
The broadcaster was embroiled in a feisty row with former Labour MP Stephen Pound, who had a more sympathetic view of William’s position.
William has been tipped to be the first British monarch in 500 years not to be head of the Church of England.
The move would represent a massive break with traditions that were made precedent by Henry VIII.
Mike Parry lashed out at the idea of Prince William stepping away from the Church of England
GB NEWS
Parry warned that such a move could embolden “fanatical” people of other religions.
“If they suddenly saw that the monarch of the United Kingdom was no longer the head of the Church of England, it would honestly entice people to say ‘Christianity is failing’,” he said.
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Stephen Pound suggested that warnings over William not taking on the role could result in the Archbishop of Canterbury being more “careful” with his words after a series of political statements.
He also argued that there may not be a need for William to be a faith leader.
“There is a real case to be made for Prince William standing back and saying ‘look, my father has said he’s going to be a defender of faiths, not a defender of one particular faith’,” he said.
“Do we really want to have the leader of this country being also the leader of the church?
Prince William could shun the Church of England
PA
“I’m not sure they want it either.”
Parry snapped back: “Well, somebody’s got to be leader of the Church of the country.
“Charles has said, ‘I am the head of the Church of England, but of course I open my arms to those of other faiths who want to live in this country and who want to pray in this country’.
“That doesn’t mean he has got to go further and think ‘I’ll step down as the Church of England’.
“Somebody has got to do that job and protect the institution of five centuries and our rights.”
The Mail, serialising Robert Hardman’s new royal book, suggested that discussions among royal circles are delving into the topic of William’s future with the church.
The future King is said to greatly respect the Church and enjoy attending services at Christmas and Easter but didn’t regularly attend.
