Among the key differences between the two traditions are beliefs about the priesthood. Many
Anglicanism, one of the major branches of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation and a form of Christianity that includes features of both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.
While many Anglicans celebrate the Eucharist in similar ways to the predominant western Catholic tradition, a considerable degree of liturgical freedom is permitted, and worship styles range from simple to elaborate.
Trinitarian – Anglicans believe that there is One God who exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Furthermore, we believe that Jesus Christ is completely God and is also completely human. If a religious group does not teach these two doctrines, we do not recognize them as Christian.
Anglicans believe that good theology is Christ-centred, Bible based, affirmed by ancient catholic tradition and supported by the perceptions of human reason. This is very much the case with our understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and whatever we believe must be consistent with these principles.
James' is an Anglican-Catholic church where we emphasize the Catholic elements of the Anglican faith. As Anglican-Catholics we venerate the Virgin Mary, and for this reason, we pray the Rosary.
Anglican use
Some Anglicans also employ the Hail Mary in devotional practice. Anglo-Catholic Anglicans use the prayer in much the same way as Roman Catholics, including use of the Rosary and the recitation of the Angelus.
It has been said that the Anglican Communion rests on the three pillars of Faith, Reason and Tradition. The unique strength of Anglicanism lies in our attempts to hold in balance these three aspects of our belief.
The Anglican Church originated when King Henry VIII split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, when the pope refused to grant the king an annulment. The Anglican Communion is made up of 46 independent churches, of which the US Episcopal Church is one.
The Anglican tradition is full of hidden treasures, among the chief of which is the discipline of private confession, now usually called the Reconciliation of a Penitent. Forgiveness, of course is basic to the Christian way of life, as we seek to do God's will and fall short of doing it.
Papal or 'canon' law dictates that non-Roman Catholic Christians, for example Anglicans, cannot take part in the eucharist (sharing of the bread and wine) at a Catholic service and similarly it directs that Roman Catholics should not take holy communion in other Christian churches.
Current Anglican Communion
The modern Anglican Church of Canada permits divorce and remarriage.
The original Anglican Bible was the so-called King James Bible, the Authorised Version. It exists in the original, and also as several modern revised versions. The Jerusalem Bible and the New English Bible are more recent translations.
The Anglican Church rejects the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory while affirming that salvation is based solely on Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, without the addition of human works. The church professes belief in the three Christian creeds: the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed.
The Anglo-Catholic movement saw a resurgence in the use of the sign of the cross within Anglicanism, including by laity and in church architecture and decoration; historically, "high church" Anglicans were more apt to make the sign of the cross than "low church" Anglicans.
We believe that after Jesus' ascension into Heaven, God the Holy Spirit was given as a gift to all believers, and equips, guides, and renews God's people whilst conforming the church to the image of Christ.
It resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism, a name used collectively to refer to the many religious groups that separated from the Roman Catholic Church due to differences in doctrine.
Contrary to popular belief, the royal family is not Catholic. We repeat, they are not Catholic. The royals are in fact the head of the Church of England, which is a Protestant Anglican church, and they've been a part of this religion since the 16th century.
English anti-Catholicism was grounded in the fear that the Pope sought to reimpose not just religio-spiritual authority but also secular power over England, a view which was vindicated by hostile actions of the Vatican.
Churches of the Anglican Communion have no restrictions on the marriage of deacons, priests, bishops, or other ministers to a person of the opposite sex. Early Anglican Church clergy under Henry VIII were required to be celibate (see Six Articles), but the requirement was eliminated by Edward VI.
Anglicans uphold the Catholic and Apostolic faith. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Churches are committed to the proclamation of the good news of the Gospel to the whole creation.
The main difference between the Catholic Church and the Church of England is that Anglicans do not recognize the pope as the head of the Christian faith. Instead, the head of the Church of England is the British monarch. The highest-ranking clergyman in the Church of England is the archbishop of Canterbury.
While the Catholic rosary is prayed with a focus on Mary for help in contemplating the mysteries of Jesus' life, the Anglican rosary relies on inspiration from the Holy Spirit to guide and enhance times of prayer, meditation, and encounter with Scripture.
Tongues are less associated with Anglicanism than with a form of Christianity known as "charismatic" . Many charismatic worshippers expect the work of the Holy Spirit to be seen in miracles and supernatural occurrences in their lives.
Throughout much of church history Christians have prayed for the dead (PFD), and the Anglican tradition cautiously accepts the practice. Its purpose may be thanksgiving or intercession; its subjects may be the saved or the damned; its setting may be private or public.