Constitutional ridiculousness

Fitting that constitutional reform should rear its head as How Ridiculous finishes Malachi Martin's hugely enjoyable novel 'Vatican'.

Of course, the one piece of constitutional reform that is most necessary is the removal of the legal bar to Roman Catholics ascending the English throne.

Just how ridiculous - to say nothing for outrageous and offensive - is that bar?

Things become even more ridiculous when we consider that one's place in the line of succession is forfeited if one marries a Catholic. Thus Prince Michael had to give up his place in the line to marry his Princess - and who would argue with his choice?

As if that were not too ridiculous things become even more ridiculous when we consider that if one is in the line of succession and marries a Protestant who later converts to Catholicism then one does not lose one's place in the line. Thus The Duke of Kent retains his right to ascend the Throne even though The Duchess is now a Catholic. Interestingly, both his sons are excluded from the succession on the grounds that the first married a Catholic and the second became one.

Ridiculous!