Boris Johnson Was Divorced Then Married In A Cathedral, Says Papal Biographers

PM Boris Johnson with Carrie Symonds. (Twitter/@MPIainDS)

JAKARTA - Catholics, including members of the congregation at Westminster Cathedral, London have questioned how British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson was able to marry in the Catholic church, after two previous divorces.

As previously reported, Boris Johnson married Carrie Symonds in the cathedral in a ceremony with 30 friends and family on Saturday 29 May. The wedding was officiated by Pastor Daniel Humphreys, who baptized their son Wilfred last year.

Carrie Symonds, who will take the name Johnson, has spoken publicly about her Catholic faith. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson was baptized into Catholicism but abandoned him for Anglicanism during his Eton school days, according to the biographer.

Catholic law, which does not recognize divorce, does not allow remarriage of those whose former spouse, or spouse, is still alive. Johnson divorced from his first wife, Allegra Mostyn-Owen, in 1993, and finalized his divorce from his second wife, Marina Wheeler, in November last year.

Pastor Mark Drew, the assistant pastor at Warrington, wrote on Twitter in response to the news.

“Can anyone explain to me how 'Boris' Johnson, who left the Catholic church while at Eaton [sic] and was twice divorced, was able to get married in Westminster Cathedral, while I have to tell devout Catholics in good faith who want a second marriage in the Church that it's not possible?" he wrote.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Carrie Symonds. (Wikimedia Commons/10 Downing Street)

Christopher Lamb, Rome correspondent for the Catholic magazine The Tablet, said many might conclude that the regulation does not apply to the prime minister.

"There will be a feeling that, why are some divorced people allowed to marry in the church and others not?" he told BBC Radio 5 live.

“And I think that's where the church can look at its current rules and see how it can be friendlier. Boris Johnson welcomes, why not for others?"

Asked if the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols approved of the marriage, a spokesman said the cardinal's approval was not required because the marriage proceeded according to Church norms without exception.

"Both bride and groom are parishioners at Westminster Cathedral and were baptized Catholics," read a statement on behalf of the Diocese of Westminster.

"All necessary steps have been taken, both in church and civil law, and all formalities completed before the wedding. We wish them happiness," the statement continued.

Meanwhile, according to The Tablet, one of the most comprehensive explanations was given by biographer and papal commentator Austen Ivereigh, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Sunday.

“Many will ask: how could the Catholic Church, known for its strong commitment to the longevity of marriages, have to witness the marriage of a twice-divorced PM who is publicly renowned for his opposite? What kind of message is that sending?”

"Catholics have the right to the sacraments, and if they meet the requirements of the law, and properly enter them, nothing can stop them from exercising those rights," he continued.

"To be married sacramentally, both partners must be baptized Christians (in this case, both are baptized Catholics) and at least one must be Catholic. Carrie is RC, as she announced on Twitter in 2016. Boris is a confirmed Anglican".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson with his wife Carrie Symonds. (Twitter/@MPIainDS)

"They must also be 'free to marry', i.e., unmarried, married to the opposite sex, etc. Boris' previous two marriages (probably) did not have a canonical form, i.e. not recognized in Catholic law. So he (probably) didn't need an annulment," he explained.

"When the canonical form of marriage has not been complied with and the marriage was subsequently disowned in the Church, a simple administrative process is used to declare such marriage invalid under church law".

"Another requirement is that the partners involved receive instructions, to ensure that they fully understand what they are getting into, and what the Church teaches about marriage (inseparability, etc.). Carrie and Boris receive months of instruction."

"The pastor who taught them, the administrator (chief) of Westminster Cathedral, Father Daniel Humphreys, also baptized their son Wilfred in December, also in the Lady's Chapel where they married yesterday".

"A statement from the cathedral said the two were parishioners, so they got married in their parish church and all necessary steps were taken, both in church and civil law, and all formalities were completed before the wedding."

"So whatever anyone thinks about their decision to get married in a sacramental manner, and about the Church's witness to that marriage, they exercise their rights, and the Church has done everything to make sure it's done earnestly and appropriately."

"I don't believe Boris will become a Catholic as PM there are too many reasons, political and constitutional, that make it impossible. But may he be on a journey of faith and wish the happy couple every happiness in their vocation," he concluded.

Just been on @BBCR4Sunday explaining how the heck a twice-divorced prime minister known for his affairs could have got married in England’s premier Catholic cathedral. So here’s a thread explaining. #boriswedding

— Austen Ivereigh (@austeni) May 30, 2021