Final answer:
James II's support of Catholicism and Catholic leaders was an issue due to religious tensions, the threat to Protestant supremacy, and James's apparent absolutist tendencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
James II's support of Catholicism and Catholic leaders was an issue in England and her colonies for several reasons:
- Religious tensions: England had a long history of conflict between Protestants and Catholics. Many people in England, including Parliament and the Anglican leadership, distrusted and hated Catholics.
- Threat to Protestant supremacy: James's strong support for Catholicism and his appointment of Catholics to positions of power raised concerns that he would undermine the dominant Protestant religion and impose Catholicism on the country.
- Absolutist tendencies: James's actions, such as suspending laws and dissolving Parliament, raised fears that he was attempting to establish absolute power, jeopardizing the traditional constitutional foundations of England.