Expert: Sal - 11/24/2004

Question
Hi Sal,

I've seen the movie Elizabeth (1998) and was surprised to learn that the pope at the time said that whoever assassinated her would go to heaven.  If this is true, how could the pope sanction murder?  What would have happened to a mislead individual who believed the pope's words?  Do you think he/she would have been pardoned by God for such a murder under the belief that it was just?  Although Elizabeth I is considered by many the greatest of the English monarchs, she persecuted many Catholics (especially towards the end of her reign) and steered England away from Catholicism.  Would you say that if she hadn't reigned, England could still be Catholic today?  There's also a scene in the movie where Elizabeth's advisor, Sir Walsingham , locks some bishops in a room so that she can win a vote on the Act of Uniformity, thereby breaking away from Rome.  How was she allowed to get away with that?  Did the Catholic bishops not refuse to go along with her, or did they fear for their lives if they disobyed her?

Thank you,

Les

Answer
Dear Les:

I'm sorry, but I don't know much about the film. I have read that it is very historically inaccurate. I have not found any evidence that the Pope wanted Queen Elizabeth murdered.

If a person truly believed something not to be a sin then for that person it would not be a sin.

It is possible that England could have be saved from the errors of Protestantism if Elizabeth had not reigned. I could also say that England may well have been saved from Protestantism if King Henry VIII had been a faithful husband. But neither of the two happened that way.

The scene with the bishops locked in a room may have been one of the films historical inaccuracies.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Have a great day!

Sal