An Improbable Election Win

Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953), an author, critic, and devout Roman Catholic, lived in a Britain where strong anti-Catholic sentiment prevailed. Known for his passion and unwavering conviction, Belloc decided to run for political office in 1906, fully aware of the challenges posed by the electorate’s prejudices.

At his first campaign speech in Salford, he held a rosary in his hands and boldly declared, “I am a Catholic. As far as possible, I go to Mass every day. As far as possible, I kneel down and tell these…