Not to mention the Tory ex cabinet minister Chris Patten, who led the review of the RUC. Blair not only attends mass, but to the horror of some catholic clerics he has even partaken of the holy bread (I don't think you get wine at catholic mass these days). As he is uninstructed in the faith, it's unlikely that the bread turns to flesh in his mouth.

Keith is spot on about religion in Britain, Sarah. It provokes monumental indifference in most quarters (as does the monarchy BTW). In fact all over western Europe, religion is on the wane, and good riddance. America is massively more religious,and getting worse. Few things stick in my craw like that santimonious sign-off: "God bless you. And god bless America."

And surely it's only a matter of months since Dubbya caused uproar in catholic circles by visiting the very university Kevin mentioned?