What exactly is the "Episcopal Church"? It seems very simular to the Catholic church. When did it beging?

-- Jason Baccaro (Enchanted fire5@aol.com), December 11, 2003

Answers

The Episcopal Church is an American offshoot of the Anglican Church or Church of England, a Protestant tradition founded by King Henry VIII. Anglicanism came to America early in the 17th century, and started to become established, but when the American Revolution won the independence of America from England, American Anglicans no longer wanted to be part of, or subject to, the Church of England. Therefore they established a new national church in the late 18th century, with a new and independent charter, using a revised version of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. The Church was formally named The Protestant Episcopal Church. Like the Anglican Church, they maintain some of the outward appearances of the Catholic Church. However, doctrinally they have become increasingly distant from the original Christian Church, and in recent years increasingly liberal in their theology and their moral teaching.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 12, 2003.

The Episcopal Church (aka the Episcopal Church in the USA) is part of the world-wide Anglican communion. The Anglican communion is not a unified church like the Catholic church is, but an association of individual churches. The Episcopal Church began as part of the Church of England (the UK branch), and separated during the American Revolutionary War.

The Anglican church was founded by Henry VIII so he could divorce his wife. At the time he kept most of the beliefs of the Catholic church with the exception of replacing the Pope with himself and appointing the Archbishop of Canterbury as the administrative head of his church. The king and the Archbishop then proceeded to take the lands owned by the Catholic church for the state (something that was repeated by the Protestant movement a few years later). They also ‘ordained’ their own bishops who took over control of local churches (thus breaking apostolic succession although Anglicans would dispute this). Over the years a number of doctrinal errors have also entered into their beliefs.

Today the Archbishop of Canterbury is considered the lead bishop in the Anglican communion. He is more of a facilitator of the communion than a leader with actual power. A fact, that is causing him no end of frustration today.

Bishops in the American Episcopal Church are elected by individual dioceses and are consecrated into the Apostolic Succession, considered to witness to an unbroken line of Church leadership beginning with the Apostles themselves. For more than two decades the American Episcopal Church has ordained women to the priesthood. In 1988 the Diocese of Massachusetts elected the first Anglican woman bishop, Barbara Harris.

Complicating all this is the fact that the Episcopal Church does not hold many of the beliefs of the Anglican communion, and the Anglican communion.

In fact, worldwide, the beliefs of Anglicans can be considered quite diverse. Although it claims to subscribe to the historic Creeds (the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed), considers the Bible to be divinely inspired, and holds the Eucharist or Lord's Supper to be the central act of Christian worship, the Episcopal Church grants great latitude in interpretation of doctrine. It tends to stress less the confession of particular beliefs than the use of the Book of Common Prayer in public worship. This book, first published in the sixteenth century, even in its revisions, stands today as a major source of unity for Anglicans around the world.

Anglicans and Episcopalians do not believe any 'foreigners' can oversee their church. In England the Queen is the head of the 'Church of England'.

See: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12493a.htm

In Christ, Bill Nelson

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 12, 2003.

The first church known as the Episcopal Church was a branch of the Scottish Kirk (Church). The Kirk was devided by those that believed that the bishops had the highest authority in the church (Episcopalians) and those that believe that the buck stops at the priests (Presbyterians). The national religion of Scotland is now Prebyterian. Elizabeth being the queen of England and Scotland, she is Anglican in England and Wales and Presbyterian when in Scotland.

-- J Biscuits (thefilthohgodthefilth@yahoo.com), December 12, 2003.

So Paul, the Church of England is another protestant denomination?

-- (Enchanted fire5@aol.com), December 12, 2003.

Yes, they are definetly another protestant denomination.

The Church of England is funny though. When it started it couldn't decide whether to be more like the Catholic Church or not. This was just amongst the Anglicans. This doesn't take into account the fact that some kings and queens were Catholic and some were protestant.

-- Scott (papasquat10@hotmail.com), December 13, 2003.

I have heard the Anglican church is Catholic in practice but Protestant only because of Henry's reformation,Anglican's Go to confession they genuflect,Mary is a big part of the church.Many of there churches are named after saints and they celebrate the same feast day's as we do. They also like us Catholic's have 2 reading's the gospel and then Communion. But the end all of this is they are not in communion with The Holy see the Vatican.However things have started to get a bit sticky lately with the episcopal church and there same sex marriages,and ordination of a gay bishop.There is talk of the Anglican church seperating from the Episcopal church of the USA. I have to listen to this quite a bit being Roman Catholic and born in England of Irish and British parents. OOPS got a little carried away there.......Pax

-- Andrew m Tillcock (drewmeister7@earthlink.net), December 13, 2003.

Our differences lay in:

The pope is the ultimate authority in the Catholic Church. Decisions in the Anglican churches require separate affirmative votes by the laity, clergy and bishops.

Catholics believe that the pope has authority over all of Christianity. Anglicans have no problem with the idea of a "universal" primate. It is the nature, jurisdiction and authority of that primacy that must be settled.

Catholics believe that the wine and host become the actual blood and body of Christ during the Eucharist. Anglicans do not.

Catholics believe in the existence of Purgatory as a place and state after death. Anglicans do not.

The Catholic church, alone, believes that certain of the the pope's pronouncements, when he speaks ex cathedra (officially) on matters of faith and morals, are infallible.

Ordaination of women (which pretty much severs any fragment that might be left of Apostolic succession).

Women have been consecrated as bishops in some Anglican jurisdictions.

Anglicans allow contraception.

Catholics do not allow Divorce and remarriage; Anglicans do.

Many Anglicans allow abortion.

Many Anglicans allow in vitro fertilization.

Anglicans do not believe in the Immaculate Conception (the dogma that Mary was without sin when she was conceived circa 20 BCE.) They do not believe that she was transferred bodily to heaven at her death.

Within Episcopalian and some Anglecan churches they ordain people who openly defy the teaching against homosexual and other types of sexual behavor.

Within Episcopalian and some Anglecan churches they bless homosexual marriages or gay and lesbian unions.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 13, 2003.

Thanks, Bill, for that rundown of major doctrinal differences.
I'd like to make two small corrections:
1. Your reference to papal infallibility could be misread to mean that not all "ex cathedra" teachings are infallible.
2. Your reference to "wine and host" should be "wine and bread," because the underlying meaning of the term "Host" implies that the word be used after the consecration. That is because it comes from the Latin "hostia," meaning sacrificial "Victim" (Jesus). I realize that many people use "host" to refer to unconsecrated bread. But, besides the linguistic reason for us to say, "bread," there is also a practical reason. It helps non-Catholics to understand what we are talking about, since many of them have never heard the term "host" except to refer to someone who receives a guest.

Bill, you might like to see this sad chronology of supposed female ordination within the Anglican communion. I was just going to mention the Hong Kong woman "ordained" to the Anglican "priesthoood" in the 1940s -- which shocks many -- but when I went to find the exact year (1944), I came across the linked page. (Notice what the Lambeth Conference decided in 1920 and 1930. This is no "church," but chaos! The 1930 Lambeth Conference also OK'd contraception -- the first such approval ever within Christianity.)

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 14, 2003.

I would say that maybe 200 years or so ago the Episcopal or Anglican church was one of our closest breathen. Probably just a bit further off than the Orthodox. However in receant years the divide between the Anglican communion and the Catholic Church has been increasing instead of decreasing. How horrible! Like most or maybe all our protestant breatheran, they have all joined hands with secularism and dualism. It seems to me that more protestant churches are saving God for the weekends.

But is seems the the people in the Catholic Church are doing this too. Our great Pope is despritely warning the people against dualism and secularism but it seems that more people are defecting. I can only pray that everyone in the world would start to pray and keep on praying so that God may give them knowledge of their sins and of himself.

We must fight more and more to keep God in everyone's life. Please be a part of the solution and "pray without ceasing."

-- Scott (papasquat10@hotmail.com), December 14, 2003.

I agree The Anglican church and The catholic church have become more distant and certain things that now fly in the Anglican church would never fly in the Catholic church,Although i know the Anglican church does believe that the bread and wine literally become the blood and body of christ.As i said before i was born in England,of Irish and British Parents and i and my parents are Catholic some of our relatives are Anglican and this has been confirmed by them. I don't know about the Episcopal Church but this is the case in the Anglican churtch. Maranatha,Happy Advent to everyone

-- Andrew m Tillcock (drewmeister7@earthlink.net), December 14, 2003.

Andrew T, you wrote:
"... i know the Anglican church does believe that the bread and wine literally become the blood and body of christ.

Actually, a "church" does not "believe" something. Only its members "believe" or "disbelieve" something. If it considers itself a teaching church, it will try to teach something like what you mentioned -- and in a binding way. But I hate to tell you that many people within "the Anglican church" do not "believe that the bread and wine literally become the blood and body of christ." I have repeatedly heard that Anglicanism is extremely tolerant of dissenting beliefs and that it is composed of so-called "high church," "low church," and "broad church" members -- which differ in certain parts of their theology. My understanding is that at least one of these groups (the "low church" Anglicans?) are much like "Evangelical Protestants" -- not attracted to a Catholic-like liturgy and not thinking of the bread and wine as anything more than symbols. I suggest that you ask your Anglican relatives about this, to see if I have been properly informed.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 14, 2003.

Thanks, Bill, for that rundown of major doctrinal differences.           

Your welcome

I'd like to make two small corrections:

sure

1. Your reference to papal infallibility could be misread to mean that not all "ex cathedra" teachings are infallible.

I did not mean to insinuate that, thanks.

2. Your reference to "wine and host" should be "wine and bread," because the underlying meaning of the term "Host" implies that the word be used after the consecration. That is because it comes from the Latin "hostia," meaning sacrificial "Victim" (Jesus). I realize that many people use "host" to refer to unconsecrated bread. But, besides the linguistic reason for us to say, "bread," there is also a practical reason. It helps non-Catholics to understand what we are talking about, since many of them have never heard the term "host" except to refer to someone who receives a guest.

 

ok

 

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 15, 2003.

Andrew T, you wrote: "... i know the Anglican church does believe that the bread and wine literally become the blood and body of christ."

Anglicans generally use the term "real presence" without necessarily being more precise. Some Anglicans hold views nearly indistinguishable from transubstantiation, while others hold views closer to consubstantiation or other Protestant views. In 1622, there was a conference between William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Jesuit John Fisher against the doctrine of transubstantiation. In 1684, Archbishop John Tillotson went as far as to speak of the "real barbarousness of this Sacrament and Rite of our Religion." For him, it was a great impiety to believe that people who attend Holy Communion "verily eat and drink the natural flesh and blood of Christ. And what can any man do more unworthily towards a Friend? How can he possibly use him more barbarously, than to feast upon his living flesh and bloud?" (Discourse against Transubstantiation, London 1684, 35.)

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 15, 2003.

My daughter is Presbyterian and is going to marry a Roman Catholic. Neither want to give up their religion so they think if they get married in an Episcopalian Church and raise their children Episcopalian that will satisfy everybody. I'm the presbyterian Mom. Really a follower of Christ and the Living Word, the Bible. I need to know the truth of the situation or else her Father will not and can not give her away. Please Help.

-- Tisha Meier (TishaMeier@cox.net), January 08, 2004.

Tisha,
The Episcopalian church is not 'Roman Catholic lite' as some people think. It is an entirely different church with very liberal beliefs (like homosexuality is OK, and a committee can change dogma at their whim.) It really is not a compromise, if you can even compromise on truth anyway. If the children are raised Episcopalian, you will only bring in yet another element into the debate, not a compromise. In short: that is not the solution.

Maybe they should not get married if they have such strong religious differences.

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), January 08, 2004.

Why would it satisfy everybody to marry in a church that doesn't teach what either of them believes, and to raise their children believing what neither of them believes? In any case, the truth of the situation is that if they marry in a non-Catholic church, they will not be validly married, the Church will see them as cohabiting without benefit of marriage, and he will be unable to participate fully in the life of the Church by receiving the sacraments until such time as that situation is rectified.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 08, 2004.

I have bumped up this thread for those interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church in the United States.

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), January 22, 2004.

While the Anglican ecclesial community (the proper term from the Catholic perspective) does in some official (but unreliable) way teach transubstantiation, they (1) lack apostolic succession so Catholics are not free to believe in the effective consecration by an Anglican priest, and (2) reject explicity, in the Common Book of Prayer, the Catholic practice of Eucharistic adoration and procession.

Amusingly, Westminster Abbey holds regular "Eucharistic devotion" services, which are similar in appearance to our own Adoration, except that it takes place before a closed tabernacle.

Other fun facts:

Anglican churches in London require hefty fees for entry; Catholic churches are free (although they do ask for donations).

Despite the huge Anglican majority, the Catholic Church in London has about the same number of seminarians (that might just be a rumor).

The Catholic Westminster Cathedral takes a very Eastern design to distinguish itself from the many Latin-eqsue Anglican churches.

Prime Minister Tony Blair attends Catholic Mass with his Catholic wife and children at the Brompton Oratory; he was denied permission to receive Communion because the Catholic minority cannot afford any concessions to the Anglican majority, like allowing exceptional intercommunion. Of course, rumor has it that the only reason Blair is an Anglican is because it's a "job requirement" that he not be Catholic.

If you're ever in London, go to the Brompton Oratory for what is arguably the single most glorious Mass anywhere in the world. Well, ok, maybe I'm wrong, but go anyway. :) :) :)

-- Skoo (anonymous@God.bless), January 22, 2004.