Years ago, at the time of their separation, all of the Episcopal Bishops had been formed under same Apostolic Succession in the Roman Catholic Church. After leaving the Roman Catholic Church, those Bishops originally maintained the sacrifice of the Mass. That teaching has since been abandoned. The Anglican/Episcopal Bishops have since rejected the sacrifice of the mass, and created a new teaching about it. The so called Priest no longer presides over Christ’s One sacrifice. The modern Episcopal Priest goes through the motions without the substance, in every sense of the Word. I am making a play on words here.
But, the point is, without the Sacrifice of Christ, you don’t have a mass, and they have walked away from Apostolic Succession. Every Bishop and Priest formed since that change is no longer being formed as they were before that time. It has to do with the words used at formation. The words used during ordination. The vow the Priest or Bishop is actually making. It is now changed.
Gene
I was Episcopalian for about a decade before coming to the Catholic Church. Although I no longer hold to Episcopalian beliefs, I have respect for the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, because for me, that period in my life was an important stepping stone on the road to Catholicism. Here is what the Episcopal Church currently teaches about Holy Eucharist (from the Catechism portion of the Book of Common Prayer):
"The Holy Eucharist
Q. What is the Holy Eucharist?
A. The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by
Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death,
and resurrection, until his coming again.
Q. Why is the Eucharist called a sacrifice?
A. Because the Eucharist, the Church’s sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving, is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is
made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering
of himself.
Q. By what other names is this service known?
A. The Holy Eucharist is called the Lord’s Supper, and
Holy Communion; it is also known as the Divine
Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.
Q. What is the outward and visible sign in the Eucharist?
A. The outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread
and wine, give and received according to Christ’s
command.
Q. What is the inward and spiritual grace given in the
Eucharist?
A. The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion
is the Body and Blood of Christ give to his people, and
received by faith.
Q. What are the benefits which we receive in the Lord’s
Supper?
A. The benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins,"