Head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Basil Hume, had written to him supporting the redrafted clause, after having taken legal advice, said Mr Straw.

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Last month, Cardinal Basil Hume, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, was appointed to the Order of Merit, whose membership is chosen by the queen and limited to 24.

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In his first sermon as leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales since the death of Cardinal Basil Hume, the Most Rev Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said Easter was a time for faith, silence and prayer.

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