The visit of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland will allow a welcome opportunity to shine a light on the doggedly sectarian institution that she represents.

It’s tragic that in Britain sectarianism is codified in law through the Act of Settlement of 1701, which prevents Catholics or those who marry Catholics from ascending to the throne.

Scotland’s Cardinal Keith O’Brien recently observed: “Our constitution contains legislation which describes my faith as ‘the popish religion’ and defines me and my co-religionists as ‘papists‘. That this arcanely offensive language enjoys legal sanction is outrageous”.

The British government spends millions every year apparently tacking sectarianism, yet, sectarianism will continue to thrive until the British constitution is changed to amend the settlement act.

Ireland has a long history of championing human rights abroad, it is to be hoped that Queen Elizabeth’s visit will provide just such an opportunity to address an ongoing violation by our nearest neighbour.

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