What Is A "Denomination"?

[AlegreFe]

So, if I understand you correctly, you do not include Churches that are separated from Rome as separate denominations provided that they possess a valid priesthood and apostolic succession. I don’t think that would be a commonly understood definition of “denomination”…there is a little too much theology in your definition. Somebody above posted this definition: “a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith.” Something along these lines has always been my understanding.

That sounds like the same thing to me. “A group of religious congregations having its own organization” is the same as what Fidelis just said. It has its own organization when it does not have apostolic succession and a valid priesthood. Because if it did then it wouldn’t be “its own organization” now would it? It would still be part of the original. And part of the original “whole” would never be considered a “denomination.” So the Catholic Church would not be part of that “religious congregations” that you would call “denominations.”

 

[Fidelis]

That sounds like the same thing to me. “A group of religious congregations having its own organization” is the same as what Fidelis just said. It has its own organization when it does not have apostolic succession and a valid priesthood. Because if it did then it wouldn’t be “its own organization” now would it? It would still be part of the original. And part of the original “whole” would never be considered a “denomination.” So the Catholic Church would not be part of that “religious congregations” that you would call “denominations.”

Thanks, Sandy – that answers the question better than I would have.

**Originally Posted by rr1213 **
Also, what about the Church of England? If the Pope had not issued Apostolicae Curae, would the Church of England and related Anglican Churches not be considered denominations? I think that would be the case based on your reasoning. Nonetheless, regardless of whether Anglican orders are valid or not, the Anglican Churches are separate denominations from the Catholic Church.

You are correct in your general deduction. However, the C of E ceased to be in schism and became a denomination when their line of episcopal succession was broken. *Apostolicae Curae *was just a recognition of this fact, not the cause.

Hope that helps.

 

[rr1213]

That sounds like the same thing to me. “A group of religious congregations having its own organization” is the same as what Fidelis just said. It has its own organization when it does not have apostolic succession and a valid priesthood. Because if it did then it wouldn’t be “its own organization” now would it? It would still be part of the original. And part of the original “whole” would never be considered a “denomination.”

That’s where you lose me. The Orthodox Churches, according to the Catholic Church, possess a valid priesthood and apostolic succession. So, by Fidelis’ definition, they do not constitute denominations. Nonetheless, the Orthodox Churches clearly have their own organization that is separate and apart from the Catholic Church. They are not within the organization or governance of the Catholic Church. What you are all saying is that Churches that are schismatic, but not heretical (viewing both concepts through the Catholic lens, not the Protestant, of course) do not constitute denominations. You are reserving the term solely to apply to Churches which from a Catholic viewpoint are heretical. This is what I mean by putting too much theology into a term which is essentially not value laden. Most folks I think would look at “denomination” not as a reflection of the orthodoxy (small “o”) of a Church but, rather, its organization and governance. For example, there are a number of Lutheran Churches which share, essentially, the same theology (at least to the same degree that Catholics and Orthodox can be said to share the same theology). Yet, using the definition of denomination that I have been discussing here, I would consider them to be separate denominations…i.e., three separate Lutheran Church organizations. Using the definition you are applying, you would consider them to be the same denomination (putting aside for a moment that you consider them heretical) because they share the same theology and essentially are merely schismatic vis-a-vis each other.

 

[Sixtus]

Catholics are the only ones who see themselves as not being a denomination

Not true, Orthodoxy is not a denomination.They are a part of the One true church.

 

[BobCatholic]

A denomination is a group of believers who hold to a particular set of doctrines.

If someone claims to be “non-denominational” that means they are either not believers or not holding to a particular set of doctrines.

The former would make them apostates. The latter would make them unitarian universalists (which is a denomination, oddly enough)

That’s why I don’t like the term non-denomination. It is just trying to redefine what a word means in English to fit an agenda. Like the word “gay” hijacked by homosexuals. 100 years ago, it meant “happy” now it means homosexual male.