King Charles III’s visit to the Vatican and his proposed meeting and praying with the Pope of Rome has been challenged by the Independent Loyalist Orange Institution and the wider Protestant community. This is not merely a diplomatic gesture — it is a symbolic act that risks trampling centuries of conviction, conscience, and covenant.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, His Majesty is bound by solemn promises — not least the Coronation Oath and the enduring principles enshrined in the Act of Settlement 1701. These are not dusty relics of history. They are living commitments to uphold the Protestant faith and defend it against doctrines that contradict the Word of God.

Let us be clear:

  • The Church of Rome continues to claim supremacy over all other faiths,
  • It preaches doctrines such as Purgatory, Transubstantiation, and the Mass — which the Church of England’s 39 Articles of Faith denounce as repugnant, blasphemous, and deceitful,
  • It venerates relics and images in ways that Scripture condemns,
  • And it attributes the title “Holy Father” to a man — a title reserved for God alone.

This visit, if unchallenged, risks casting a long shadow over the memory of the Protestant martyrs — men and women who were burned, tortured, and executed for refusing to bow to Rome. Their blood cries out from history.

 Our Response: A Call to Action

 As an Institution rooted in truth and liberty, we are taking the following steps:

  • Commissioning legal opinion on the events and activities envisaged in the visit constitute a breach of the Coronation Oath and Act of Secession 1701, and what implications such a breach could and should have.
  • Writing directly to His Majesty the King, reminding him of his Coronation Oath and urging him to reconsider this meeting in light of his sworn duty to defend the Protestant faith.
  • Engaging with our local Members of Parliament, calling for a formal inquiry into whether this visit constitutes a breach of the Coronation Oath and the Act of Settlement.
  • Mobilising our members and supporters to raise awareness across communities, churches, and media platforms.
  • Commemorating Reformation Day with renewed vigour, honouring those who died for the Gospel and reaffirming our commitment to the truth of Scripture.

No Peace with Rome Until Rome Makes Peace with God

As Bishop Joseph Hall once declared, “There can be no peace with Rome until Rome makes peace with God.” We echo those words today with conviction and clarity.

Let this be a moment of awakening. Let this be the hour when the faithful rise to defend the truth. Let this be the time when we say — with one voice — that the Gospel cannot be compromised, and the legacy of the martyrs will not be betrayed.

Copy of Press Release and Position Paper

Response to Royal Vatican Visit    

It is with great sadness that we as an Independent Orange Institution address the visit to the Vatican City of King Charles lll and his imminent proposed meeting with Pope of Rome.

The See of Rome traditionally, has made no apology for claiming supremacy and authority over all other religions and faiths. Furthermore her obnoxious claim, that there can be no salvation outside of the Church of Rome has no biblical foundation. The Pope falsely claims to be the Vicar of Christ on earth and the Church over which he presides clearly preaches a false Gospel which is not in keeping with the Inerrant Word of God. When examined in the light of Scripture, the erroneous and dangerous doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome are found to be unscriptural and completely without biblical warrant.

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century brought light and liberty to Europe, which until this point was governed under the darkness, superstition and bondage of Roman Catholicism     

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, King Charles is well aware that the 39 Articles of Faith, which form part of the bedrock of beliefs within the established Church over which he presides, clearly state that Romish doctrine of Purgatory is repugnant to the Word of God along with the worshiping of images and relics. Furthermore the same articles of Faith over which the King governs reaffirm that the Church of Rome hath erred on matters of Faith and that the false doctrine of Transubstantiation cannot be proved in scripture for the Mass is a blasphemous fable and a dangerous deceit which have given occasion to superstition

We are reminded of the King’s Coronation Oath given to the nation when he said 

“ I Charles do solemnly and sincerely declare in the presence of God, that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers”

Given the blasphemous claims of the Church of Rome, a faithful Protestant and in particular the Defender of the Protestant Faith,  should have no form of worship with one who claims to be the Holy Father, a title attributed only to God alone.  

As an Institution we believe that King Charles has been ill advised regarding this proposed meeting with the Pope of Rome and in the strongest possible terms we raise our opposition. 

As we approach Reformation Day, we are reminded of those who suffered and horrendously died, under watchful eye and approval of Rome for simply holding to the truth of the Gospel.

We salute the brave memory of those who suffered and died in defence of the faith of whom, ( the Bible says,)  this world was not worthy   

Our prayer would be that the Lord would graciously deliver the members of the Church of Rome from error and false doctrine and lead them to the Truth of God’s Holy Word which is able to make them wise unto Salvation through Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

We echo the words of the late Bishop Joseph Hall who said that there can be No Peace with Rome, until Rome makes Peace with God

 END OF PRESS RELEASE 

Press Release Iloi - Vatican Visit