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.
Among the key differences between the two traditions are beliefs about the priesthood. Many Anglican churches are open to both men and women being ordained priests. The Catholic Church affirms that only men can receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.
The Church claims to be both Catholic and Reformed. It upholds teachings found in early Christian doctrines, such as the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Church also reveres 16th century Protestant Reformation ideas outlined in texts, such as the Thirty-Nine Articles and the Book of Common Prayer.
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.
Anglicans believe that the Roman Catholic Church is a true, Christian Church. We may have issues with some of their theology and practice, even serious issues, but we affirm their faith in Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Church affirms the creeds, Holy Scripture and the orthodox faith.
Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians pray 'to' Mary (i.e. 'invocate'). Anglican tend to pray 'with' her (i.e. 'comprecate'). With her, we pray that we may bring birth to God's word in the world.
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.
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.
The Episcopal Church, based in the United States with additional dioceses elsewhere, is a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is a mainline Protestant denomination and is divided into nine provinces.
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.
Though the community led by the pope in Rome is known as the Catholic Church, the traits of catholicity, and thus the term catholic, are also ascribed to denominations such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church of the East.
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 Church of England has no mechanism for canonising saints, and unlike the Roman Catholic Church it makes no claims regarding the heavenly status of those whom it commemorates in its calendar.
The process will enable groups of Anglicans to become Catholic and recognize the pope as their leader, yet have parishes that retain Anglican rites, Vatican officials said. The move comes some 450 years after King Henry VIII broke from Rome and created the Church of England, forerunner of the Anglican Communion.
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.
Current Anglican Communion
The modern Anglican Church of Canada permits divorce and remarriage.
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.
Anglicanism is a particular Christian tradition born out of the Protestant Reformation in England (16th century). As Anglicans, we value our place in a global communion of churches, our rich history of faith and practice, and a deep commitment to the authority of Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
First and foremost, Anglicans are Christians. Globally, Anglicans form the third largest body of Christians in the world (around 80 million members) behind the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. The name “Anglican” is traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Europe.
The normal practice within the Anglican Church when a person has been baptised as a child is to be confirmed by the Bishop or Archbishop at a later time. Baptism in the Anglican Church is normally accepted as suitable for membership in any of the mainstream or orthodox Christian traditions.
While the majority of the 41 provinces of the Anglican Communion ordain women as priests, and many have removed all barriers to women becoming bishops, some have taken formal or informal steps to provide pastoral care and support for those who cannot in conscience accept the ministry of women as priests and bishops.
We believe that God the Father created us in love, so we may have loving relationship with our Creator; we also believe that we choose to reject and fracture our relationship with this eternal God and live without reference to God (called sin).
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.
Catholic (both Eastern and Western), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran Christians generally use the crucifix in public religious services.
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.