I’ve often heard that the Episocopal faith is “Catholic lite” and I was just wondering what are the differences between the two denominations are? I have a friend that is interesting in the Episocopalian Church and I don’t know what to tell her how it compares or doesn’t compare to Catholicism.
Well I was surprised to learn than many Episcopalians call themselves Catholic.
The difference is that one is a denomination and the other is not. Which came first? Which separated from the other? Which changed the rite of ordination? So which one has true sacraments? Those are better question in my opinion.
However, I have gone to mass at an Episcopalian church and didn’t realize it until later. I knew something was different. When I went outside I looked for a sign… sure enough I missed it…missed my Sunday obligation too because of it.
aw shucks:shrug:
Was it the female in vestments that gave it away? :eek:
One difference is that the Catholic Church is headed by the pope and was founded by Jesus, while the Anglican/Episcopal Church’s visible head is the English monarch and was founded by King Henry VIII, who went through seven wives.
You are very wrong about one very important thing you just stated. The Church of England is headed by the English monarch, and only the Church of England. The Episcopal church here in the USA is only part of the “Anglican Communion”, and is NOT part of the Church of England. Any Anglican church in any country apart from the Church of England is NOT headed by the english monarch. Lastly, the Church of England was founded by Henry VIII, not the Episcopal church. They are very seperate entities belonging to one communion.
The Episcopal church is, in a sense, “Catholic Lite”, in regards to how it worships. It uses a liturgy that closely reflects that of the american Catholic liturgy. The “Lite” comes in when talking about the Sacraments and doctrines. They emphasize 2 of the 7 sacraments(Baptism and Eucharist), while the RCC emphasizes all 7. Doctrines do exist, but you aren’t forced to follow any that aren’t explicitly backed up by scripture.
I’m sure the next response will be something about Anglicans/Episcopalians being able to believe “anything they want to believe”, which is simply not true.
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Is it possible that anyone could say such a thing and be expected to be taken seriously?
Some bachelors are married.
Is it possible that anyone could say such a thing and be expected to be taken seriously?
Some bachelors are married.
yes, I expect to be taken seriously. The Episcopal church here in the USA has nothing to do with any decisions made within the Church of England and vice versa. They are in a “agree to disagree” situation on certain issues. If an episcopalian goes to Britain, they would be welcome to receive communion there and vice versa.
By separate, I simply mean one doesn’t govern the other.
Your analogy about bachelors isn’t even in the same ballpark.
The Catholic Church was founded by Christ. The Episcopal Church traces it’s origins to King Henry VIII.
St. Peter was the first leader of the Catholic Church and throughout the centuries, his Successors have continued to lead the Church. The Episcopal Church has no real leader.
The Catholic Church has a unified set of beliefs. The Episcopal Church does not; members are free to decide for themselves.
Although they develop as a result of increased understanding, Catholic doctrine does not change. The Catholic Church never changes it’s beliefs or faith. When public opinion changes, so do the beliefs of the Episcopal Church.
The Catholic Church is One, Holy, Universal, and Apostolic:
We are One because we are united to the Pope. We also profess one unified faith throughout the world.
The Church is Holy because it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Church is Catholic/Universal because it is worldwide. It is the largest Christian faith in existence. The Church is also the oldest institution in the world.
The Church is Apostolic because all Bishops trace their lineage directly to the Apostles. The Catholic Church also teaches the undiluted faith of the Apostles.
The Episcopal Church is not united in obedience under one leader. The Episcopal Church does not profess one, unified faith throughout the world.
The Episcopal Church is not guided by the Holy Spirit in matters of faith and morals. The Holy Spirit would never guide the Church to consecrate homosexuals to the Bishopric, or endorse the female priesthood. God would never contradict himself.
The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is not a Church, but a group of Churches united by tradition and not by faith. For this reason, the Episcopal Church is not universal.
The Episcopal Church no longer possesses Apostolic Succession. Apostolic Succession was ruined because the ritual of Holy Orders was changed. Some Episcopal Bishops may possess Apostolic Succession, but the majority do not.
In conclusion, the Catholic Church is the Biblical Church and the Episcopal Church is the invention of a King who wanted absolute control.
I think that this is a pretty good link comparing the two Churches.
stgeorgeshelmetta.org/compare.html
God Bless!
Charity in posting is one of the rules of this forum, grandfather.
For a while, Catholics and Anglicans were on very good terms with each other. In fact, Vatican II said:
Other divisions arose more than four centuries later in the West, stemming from the events which are usually referred to as “The Reformation.” As a result, many Communions, national or confessional, were separated from the Roman See. Among those in which Catholic traditions and institutions in part continue to exist, the Anglican Communion occupies a special place.
In other words, except for the Orthodox, the Anglicans were our closest dialogue-partner.
However, in recent years the Anglican Communion has been going more and more liberal. This is especially a problem in the Episcopal Church USA (one the provinces of the Anglican Communion).
:eek:
Oh my! Nope, it was in the late 70’s or early 80’s. On Greek Row at LSU.
This is true, vis a vie Anglicanism. Part of the reason why, though, that Anglicans were dialoguing with Rome was because they were going liberal (really, they have been for almost a hundred years). Many of the conservative Continuing Anglican movements are very “Protestant” and want nothing to do with Roman ecumenism.
Six wives.
GKC
Anglicanus Catholicus
A little doggerel to help us remember . . .
Henry the Eighth to six spouses was wedded
One died, One survived,
Two divorced, Two beheaded. . . .
On a serious note, where is the authority to interpret and define Scripture and Tradition in the Anglican church? Anglicans broke with that authority and have been headed for ruin ever since.
I’d make it “Two annulled”, to be technically correct.
The authority lies with the Apostolic Church in general. Not merely with Rome. IOW, it takes collegiality to make the decisions, a thng not found widely since around the middle of the 11th century. Certainly it doesn’t reside in Anglicanism alone. As witness current events.
GKC
Since I was at LSU in grad school in the late 70’s, I’d really like an explanation of this. Is this a reference to what happened at Christ the King?