Anglican and Catholic Church - differences & similarities

[conrad979]

I have always been an Anglican, but recently have been drawn towards the Roman Catholic Church. Does anyone know of a useful summary of the differences (I am aware this is like asking how long is a piece of string, but any help would be very welcome).
Thanks.

 

[EDKidd]

I have always been an Anglican, but recently have been drawn towards the Roman Catholic Church. Does anyone know of a useful summary of the differences (I am aware this is like asking how long is a piece of string, but any help would be very welcome).
Thanks.

You’re right about the long piece of string analogy. I attended an Anglican church for 10 years before converting to Catholicism (Easter 08).

As far as a useful summary of differences, I’m afraid that that would depend on which Anglican church you are familar with as some High Anglican churches may ‘appear’ Catholic whilst other, more liberal Anglican churches will look quite the opposite.

My advice to you as a new member of CAF would be to search the forums for an answer to your question as in my opinion whilst Anglicanism may in some cases appear to be pretty much the same as Catholicism, appearences can be very deceptive.

Good luck on your journey though and welcome to CAF

 

[chris_molter]

Perhaps if you gave us a summary (as brief or detailed as you like) of what sort of Anglicanism you’re familiar with or what style/flavor of church you attend, we can work from there.

There’s so much diversity in Anglican practice and belief that it’s hard to know where to start in comparison unless we have a baseline!

I can say this, though. The primary difference no matter what kind of Anglican you are vs Catholicism (IMO) is the issue of teaching authority.

 

[conrad979]

Thanks for your replies, and fair comment Chris.

I would define myself as Anglo-Catholic. The church I grew up in (but no longer attend as I’ve moved too far away) was very ‘high’ Church of England; there was a (married) ‘priest’, we celebrated mass, said the Nincine creed, observed the Stations of the Cross in Lent etc.

However, there are a number of differences that I have noticed; the Lord’s Prayer seems to take a different form, the church looked to Canterbury not Rome, the Rosary was not used / said(although I notice from browsing through the forum as EDKidd suggested that this sometimes is used in Anglican worship). I was also thinking of things like trans / consubstantiation, papal infallibility, and the relationship between the priest / God / congregation - this seems different in Catholicism. Can anyone point me in the right direction to findd out more please?

 

[chris_molter]

Probably the best and easiest resource to use if you’re curious about what the Catholic Church teaches regarding things like the Eucharist, Papal authority, etc is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which can be found for free online:

scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

Feel free to hop around using the table of contents. It’s a slog to read cover to cover, but it’s handy as a reference.

You can compare and contrast that with the catechism in whichever Prayer Book is standard for your Province (For us in the US it’s the 1979 BCP, or 1928 for Anglicans in the Continuum). Hopefully some of our learned Anglican friends on here like GKC and Contarini will offer more suggestions and guidance.

Obviously, the Catechism (CCC) is only going to provide the basic background behind what the Church teaches. Beyond that, let me know what other specific questions you have and we can look up the relevant Church documents that go into more detail on specific teachings.

 

[Matariel]

I have always been an Anglican, but recently have been drawn towards the Roman Catholic Church. Does anyone know of a useful summary of the differences (I am aware this is like asking how long is a piece of string, but any help would be very welcome).
Thanks.

Anglicans: Generally believe the Pope is first among equals, but as far as authority goes, equal with the other bishops.

Catholics: The Pope is the Supreme Bishop, having universal jurisdiction and the ability to speak infallibly on faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Anglicans: Believe Mary is a very highly-esteemed saint, for her role in the Incarnation. They are optionally allowed to hold her Assumption as a pious belief and optional feast day. However, they generally reject the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics: Believe Mary to be the Queen of all Saints, excelling in every virtue, full of grace, immaculately concieved, and bodily assumed into Heaven, although it is unknown whether she died beforehand.

Anglicans: Believe in Apostolic Succession and it’s necessity in sacramental ministry. However, some jurisdictions ordain females, which goes against Christian tradition since the times of the Apostles.

Catholics: Believe in Apostolic Succession; they formerly stated that Anglican Orders were invalid, but it is unknown whether they still say this, since in the '30s there was a massive re-ordination of Anglican clergy by Independent and Old Catholic lines, which Rome views as valid.

Anglicans: Believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are permitted to hold a variety of views: Transubstantiation (Although, officially reputiated by the 39 Articles) Consubstantiation, Sacramental Union, Metaousia. Zwinglian Memorialism is not a valid Anglican view.

Catholics: Believe exclusively in Transubstantiation.

Anglicans: Believe in the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

Catholics: Believe in the seven Ecumenical Councils, but have had other councils since then that they consider binding.

 

[GKC]

Anglicans: Generally believe the Pope is first among equals, but as far as authority goes, equal with the other bishops.

Catholics: The Pope is the Supreme Bishop, having universal jurisdiction and the ability to speak infallibly on faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Anglicans: Believe Mary is a very highly-esteemed saint, for her role in the Incarnation. They are optionally allowed to hold her Assumption as a pious belief and optional feast day. However, they generally reject the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics: Believe Mary to be the Queen of all Saints, excelling in every virtue, full of grace, immaculately concieved, and bodily assumed into Heaven, although it is unknown whether she died beforehand.

Anglicans: Believe in Apostolic Succession and it’s necessity in sacramental ministry. However, some jurisdictions ordain females, which goes against Christian tradition since the times of the Apostles.

Catholics: Believe in Apostolic Succession; they formerly stated that Anglican Orders were invalid, but it is unknown whether they still say this, since in the '30s there was a massive re-ordination of Anglican clergy by Independent and Old Catholic lines, which Rome views as valid.

Anglicans: Believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are permitted to hold a variety of views: Transubstantiation (Although, officially reputiated by the 39 Articles) Consubstantiation, Sacramental Union, Metaousia. Zwinglian Memorialism is not a valid Anglican view.

Catholics: Believe exclusively in Transubstantiation.

Anglicans: Believe in the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

Catholics: Believe in the seven Ecumenical Councils, but have had other councils since then that they consider binding.

Generally, this is a pretty good summary. But there has been no massive “reordination” of Anglican clergy, any time, by anyone. The sacrament of orders is not repeatable; no such thing as a reordination. What began, in 1932, with the Anglicans and the Old Catholics of Utrecht, and in 1946, with Anglicans and the PNCC, were joint consecrations, in which OC or PNCC bishops participated in consecrating Anglican bishops. This results in the infusion of those episcopal lines into Anglicanism, generally .

And don’t worry overly about the Articles. Except technically, for ordinands of the Church of England, they’re strictly optional.

GKC

 

[Robbinson]

Anglicans: Generally believe the Pope is first among equals, but as far as authority goes, equal with the other bishops.

Catholics: The Pope is the Supreme Bishop, having universal jurisdiction and the ability to speak infallibly on faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Anglicans: Believe Mary is a very highly-esteemed saint, for her role in the Incarnation. They are optionally allowed to hold her Assumption as a pious belief and optional feast day. However, they generally reject the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics: Believe Mary to be the Queen of all Saints, excelling in every virtue, full of grace, immaculately concieved, and bodily assumed into Heaven, although it is unknown whether she died beforehand.

Anglicans: Believe in Apostolic Succession and it’s necessity in sacramental ministry. However, some jurisdictions ordain females, which goes against Christian tradition since the times of the Apostles.

Catholics: Believe in Apostolic Succession; they formerly stated that Anglican Orders were invalid, but it is unknown whether they still say this, since in the '30s there was a massive re-ordination of Anglican clergy by Independent and Old Catholic lines, which Rome views as valid.

Anglicans: Believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are permitted to hold a variety of views: Transubstantiation (Although, officially reputiated by the 39 Articles) Consubstantiation, Sacramental Union, Metaousia. Zwinglian Memorialism is not a valid Anglican view.

Catholics: Believe exclusively in Transubstantiation.

Anglicans: Believe in the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

Catholics: Believe in the seven Ecumenical Councils, but have had other councils since then that they consider binding.

Excellent summary. Another difference is that Anglicans invite all baptized Christians to join in the Eucharist, the Catholic Church limits this to those in communion with the Church (although I think this also includes Eastern Orthodox).

FYI - I also fellowship in the Anglican Church thinking seriously about the Roman Catholic Church. I think the key issue is the role of the Pope as successor to Peter and one’s understanding of the “keys to the kingdom” and “on this rock” passages of scripture. I’m also troubled by the direction the Anglican Church has been going in the last decade and it appears in stark contrast to the Catholic Church which has stood steadfast on key doctrines of faith.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[GKC]

Excellent summary. Another difference is that Anglicans invite all baptized Christians to join in the Eucharist, the Catholic Church limits this to those in communion with the Church (although I think this also includes Eastern Orthodox).

FYI - I also fellowship in the Anglican Church thinking seriously about the Roman Catholic Church. I think the key issue is the role of the Pope as successor to Peter and one’s understanding of the “keys to the kingdom” and “on this rock” passages of scripture. I’m also troubled by the direction the Anglican Church has been going in the last decade and it appears in stark contrast to the Catholic Church which has stood steadfast on key doctrines of faith.

Blessings,

Brian

As on many other points, you can find a range of positions on who may recieve. As my priest says, he won’t conduct an inquisition at the altar rail, but the basic rule for us is baptised and confirmed by a bishop in apostolic succession.

GKC

 

[conrad979]

Thank you all very much for your posts - they have given me a lot to think about. I have been reading a catechism, and I am surprised at how many similarities there are in what it says and what I believe already. I am still trying to work out what I am supposed to do, and have been reading these forums a lot to try and work it out. If I have a specific question about what the Catholic view / position is, is this the best place to post, or should I go to another part of the board (it is so large I am not sure where to start).
Thanks.

 

[SIA]

Anglicans: Generally believe the Pope is first among equals, but as far as authority goes, equal with the other bishops.

Catholics: The Pope is the Supreme Bishop, having universal jurisdiction and the ability to speak infallibly on faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Anglicans: Believe Mary is a very highly-esteemed saint, for her role in the Incarnation. They are optionally allowed to hold her Assumption as a pious belief and optional feast day. However, they generally reject the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics: Believe Mary to be the Queen of all Saints, excelling in every virtue, full of grace, immaculately concieved, and bodily assumed into Heaven, although it is unknown whether she died beforehand.

Anglicans: Believe in Apostolic Succession and it’s necessity in sacramental ministry. However, some jurisdictions ordain females, which goes against Christian tradition since the times of the Apostles.

Catholics: Believe in Apostolic Succession; they formerly stated that Anglican Orders were invalid, but it is unknown whether they still say this, since in the '30s there was a massive re-ordination of Anglican clergy by Independent and Old Catholic lines, which Rome views as valid.

Anglicans: Believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are permitted to hold a variety of views: Transubstantiation (Although, officially reputiated by the 39 Articles) Consubstantiation, Sacramental Union, Metaousia. Zwinglian Memorialism is not a valid Anglican view.

Catholics: Believe exclusively in Transubstantiation.

Anglicans: Believe in the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

Catholics: Believe in the seven Ecumenical Councils, but have had other councils since then that they consider binding.

Brilliant summary! Many folks here need to read this. This would clear up a ton of needless arguments

 

[RobHom]

Brilliant summary! Many folks here need to read this. This would clear up a ton of needless arguments

I agree!! The summary as shown was as I had understood it even from childhood.

I seem to remember that when I was a child…we were told that if we were somewhere and there was no Catholic Church that we could attend…that we could go to an Episcopalian Church. Now…please understand I am talking about a time in my life about 50 years ago, and the current situation regarding the Anglican/Episcopalian issue did not exist…

I could be wrong…but somehow I remember that being said.

 

[SIA]

I agree!! The summary as shown was as I had understood it even from childhood.

I seem to remember that when I was a child…we were told that if we were somewhere and there was no Catholic Church that we could attend…that we could go to an Episcopalian Church. Now…please understand I am talking about a time in my life about 50 years ago, and the current situation regarding the Anglican/Episcopalian issue did not exist…

I could be wrong…but somehow I remember that being said.

My parents both are devout Catholics and will on occasion visit mine and my wife’s Anglican parish and participate fully in our Euchaistic service receiving communion. They both believe that we posess the real presence just as they do.

 

[colliric]

Anglicans: Generally believe the Pope is first among equals, but as far as authority goes, equal with the other bishops.

Catholics: The Pope is the Supreme Bishop, having universal jurisdiction and the ability to speak infallibly on faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Anglicans: Believe Mary is a very highly-esteemed saint, for her role in the Incarnation. They are optionally allowed to hold her Assumption as a pious belief and optional feast day. However, they generally reject the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics: Believe Mary to be the Queen of all Saints, excelling in every virtue, full of grace, immaculately concieved, and bodily assumed into Heaven, although it is unknown whether she died beforehand.

Anglicans: Believe in Apostolic Succession and it’s necessity in sacramental ministry. However, some jurisdictions ordain females, which goes against Christian tradition since the times of the Apostles.

Catholics: Believe in Apostolic Succession; they formerly stated that Anglican Orders were invalid, but it is unknown whether they still say this, since in the '30s there was a massive re-ordination of Anglican clergy by Independent and Old Catholic lines, which Rome views as valid.

Anglicans: Believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are permitted to hold a variety of views: Transubstantiation (Although, officially reputiated by the 39 Articles) Consubstantiation, Sacramental Union, Metaousia. Zwinglian Memorialism is not a valid Anglican view.

Catholics: Believe exclusively in Transubstantiation.

Anglicans: Believe in the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

Catholics: Believe in the seven Ecumenical Councils, but have had other councils since then that they consider binding.

Yes this is a good summary.

Anglican Orders are considered to be invalid for the clear reason that they do not have Apostolic Sucession at all, they only believe they do. The English Church was entirly ex-communicated invalidating any further ordinations in their church as it was no longer part of the Latin Rite. This was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

However correct me if I’m Wrong but the Latin Rite in the States(and hopefully one day the rest of the english speaking world) now allows for the usage of Cranmer’s(was it him? I think so) 16th century translation of the Tridentine Rite Mass. I Really believe this is a huge step forward for our Church, it may have taken 400 years, but we are finally understanding how to reel back in Anglicans in large numbers…

 

[colliric]

Anglicans: Generally believe the Pope is first among equals, but as far as authority goes, equal with the other bishops.

Catholics: The Pope is the Supreme Bishop, having universal jurisdiction and the ability to speak infallibly on faith and morals when speaking ex cathedra.

Anglicans: Believe Mary is a very highly-esteemed saint, for her role in the Incarnation. They are optionally allowed to hold her Assumption as a pious belief and optional feast day. However, they generally reject the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics: Believe Mary to be the Queen of all Saints, excelling in every virtue, full of grace, immaculately concieved, and bodily assumed into Heaven, although it is unknown whether she died beforehand.

Anglicans: Believe in Apostolic Succession and it’s necessity in sacramental ministry. However, some jurisdictions ordain females, which goes against Christian tradition since the times of the Apostles.

Catholics: Believe in Apostolic Succession; they formerly stated that Anglican Orders were invalid, but it is unknown whether they still say this, since in the '30s there was a massive re-ordination of Anglican clergy by Independent and Old Catholic lines, which Rome views as valid.

Anglicans: Believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are permitted to hold a variety of views: Transubstantiation (Although, officially reputiated by the 39 Articles) Consubstantiation, Sacramental Union, Metaousia. Zwinglian Memorialism is not a valid Anglican view.

Catholics: Believe exclusively in Transubstantiation.

Anglicans: Believe in the first seven Ecumenical Councils.

Catholics: Believe in the seven Ecumenical Councils, but have had other councils since then that they consider binding.

Agreed. Except with the points on Apostolic Sucession.