ACT OF UNIFORMITY

1560

After the brief (1553–1558) reign of the Catholic Queen Mary, the Protestant Reformation slowly resumed its progress under Mary's successor and half-sister, Elizabeth I. The Act of Uniformity of 1560, passed through an Irish parliament that was becoming heavily Protestant in its composition, extended to Ireland a variation of the Protestant (or "Anglican") faith that was being reestablished in England.

AN ACT FOR THE UNIFORMITIE OF COMMON PRAYER AND SERVICE IN THE CHURCH, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS

Where at the death of our late soverain lord King Edward the 6, there remained one uniforme order of common service, prayer and the administration of sacraments, rites and ceremonies in the church of England, which was set forth in one book, intituled, "The Book of Common Prayer, and administration of Sacraments" which was repealed and taken away by act of Parliament in the said realm of England in the first year of the raign of our late soveraign lady Queen Mary, to the great decay of the true honour of God, and discomfort to the professors of the truth of Christ's religion. Be it therefore enacted by the authoritie of this present Parliament. That the said book with the order of service, and of the administration of sacraments, rites and ceremonies, with the alterations and additions therein added and appointed by this estatute, shall stand and bee from and after the feast of Pentecost, next ensuing, in full force and effect, . . .

II. And further be it enacted . . . that all and singular ministers in any cathedrall or parish church, or other place within this realm of Ireland, shall from and after the feast of Saint John Baptist, then next ensuing, be bounded to say and use the mattens, evensong, celebration of the Lord's supper, and administration of each of the sacraments, and all their common and open prayer, in such order and form as is mentioned in the said book. . . .

STATUTES AT LARGE, IRELAND, vol. 1, pp. 284–290; 2 Eliz. I, c. 2.