Elizabeth should make a careful decision in that time; Elizabeth tried to control the religion’s hard-liners to minimize the conflict. Another reason for treading carefully was because every decision could ignite the war between countries. Protestant leaders in northern Germany expected Elizabeth to take up the cause of the Protestants. In other hand, Elizabeth was also very aware that two very powerful Catholic states (Frances and Spain) were waiting for the Queen’s decision. Every decisions that Elizabeth did at that time will be causing the angger of the Protestant believer and Catholic believer. The final religious settlement recognized royal supremacy within the church. The Act of Supremacy made Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church and church officials were required to take an oath of obedience to Elizabeth. This supreme made the position of Queen Elizabeth was very strong.
In 1559, Elizabeth framed new religious laws with the help of her chief minister, William Cecil. This known as the religious settlement of England then establishing England as a Protestant Country. The church and priest had to use the English Prayer Book and Queen Elizabeth also remove all the superstition in the church:
- That the minister in a parish church faced the congregation when he read the Common Prayer and gave divine service.
- That during baptism, a minister should dispense with the making of the cross on a child’s forehead as this was mere superstition.
- That those who were unable to kneel during communion should not have to do so if they were aged or sick.
- No minister should wear anything other than a plain surplice during a service.
The protestant became popular in England whereas Catholics became minority. As the Supreme of Governor of the Church, Elizabeth gave tolerant to every religion in England as long as not out of the rules. Elizabeth practiced religious clemency and tolerance, which was an attempt to harmony the state of affairs between the Roman Catholics and the Church of England.
The Protestant, The Catholic or The Puritans (the radical protestant) have their own church and no one have right to disturb any religions and belief.
SOURCES :
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/elizabeth_church_england.htm
http://www.elizabethi.org/contents/elizabethanchurch/queenandchurch.html
British History Encyclopedia
KRISNAWATI SIGIRO 