Uniformity, Act of, is any one of several acts of the English Parliament that were passed in 1549, 1552, 1559, and 1662. These acts set out the form of public prayers and ceremonies to be used in all churches. The most important one, passed in 1662, enforced the use of the revised Book of Common Prayer. This prayer book contains church doctrine (beliefs), ordinances (established religious ceremonies), and forms for the sacraments, as well as prayers to be used by the Church of England. The act of 1662 required clergy to be ordained by bishops and to make certain sworn declarations. Between 1,000 and 2,000 ministers would not conform and were removed from their positions in the Church of England. The act, amended in 1872, is still in force. However, the Toleration Act of 1689 and later acts granted religious freedom to Roman Catholics and Nonconformists—that is, Protestants outside the Church of England. See also Church of England ; Prayer book .
