TWO leaders of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches in
England prayed together last week in the Tower of London crypt
where Henry VIII's friend and chancellor, Sir Thomas More, spent
his last night before his execution for refusing to accept the
King's split from Rome.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, and the
Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Vincent Nichols, were
joined by the Constable of the Tower, General the Lord Dannatt, to
promote the 1535 Society, which fosters an understanding of More's
part in history, and honours all those who have lost their lives
because of their religious beliefs.
The society was launched last year by Lord Dannatt, a former
Chief of the General Staff. It seeks to raise £1.5 million for the
restoration of the crypt beneath the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula
in the Tower. The chapel contains More's grave, and is the final
resting place of three English queens.
In a joint statement, the two prelates said: "It is so important
that we preserve this shrine to remind us of the dangers of
religious intolerance, and to recall men and women of faith to the
primacy of love for God which leads to love of neighbour."
Lord Dannatt said that he was grateful to the Archbishop and
Bishop of London for "joining together in honouring a saint of both
main Christian traditions, and other Christian martyrs, and in
helping us give the chapel and the crypt the care that they
deserve".