Reason my family is Episcopalian and not Catholic?

Question

We're Irish (last name "Mc----") yet we are not Catholic or Protestant. Reasons???

okay yeah i know ethnicity has nothing to do with religion, yet the majority of Ireland is either Catholic or Protestant so I'm trying to find out why my particular family might have switched to Episcopal.

...and yes Episcopal is a form of Protestant but whats the difference?

Thank you for all the information everyone!

Answer 1

The primary reason is that the English made Catholicism illegal, Catholic Masses were outlawed, seminaries closed down, etc. The whole repressive works. (for example 1549
First Act of Uniformity in England made Catholic Mass illegal , 1663 Earliest Catholic registers to keep track of who was a Catholic (forced) 1741 Landholders forced to take the Oath of Allegiance and renounce Catholicism, 1780 Jun 2–8: The Gordon Riots – Parliament passes a Roman Catholic relief measure (reduced official anti-Catholicism)– for days, London is at the mercy of a Protestant mob and destruction is widespread), 1828 O'Connell barred from the House of Commons as a Catholic, 1829 Apr 4: Catholic Emancipation Act restores civil liberties to Catholics)

Your family history would be important to know and that would tell you why specifically your family because Episcopalian (which is the American branch of the Church of England btw.). It could be due to the evil measures of the English Government, something your family felt they needed to do to survive, because they wanted to fit in, something they felt they believed in, or something of circumstance (such as a great great great grandfather converting to marry the g.mother).

Answer 2

Who knows? Religion is a personal preference now a days. You know the 1st ammendment. You ancestors were probably originally Roman Catholic as this was the first Christian church in Ireland. I think Episcopalian is the American version of the Aglican Church or the Church of England. Episcopalians are actually protestant despite your current beliefs. Most people change religions to avoid persecution. Think about it. The whole colonization of North America was driven by Pilgrims trying to escape religious persecution of the Monarchs and the Pope.

Answer 3

Episcopalians are Protestants. Like others have said, the Episcopalians are the American version of the Church of England. Episcopalians are one of the Protestant churches closest to Catholic. From what I understand, the Church of England was created 100s of years ago by the King of England. He was a devout Catholic, but the Vatican would not allow him to marry his mistress after divorcing his wife, since the Church did not recognize divorce. So the King created his own church. But since he was a practicing Catholic, he modelled the Church of England after Catholicism.
I'd think that your family was probably from Northern Ireland, and became Episcopalian along with the rest of England.

Answer 4

Part of my Irish family is not Catholic because generations ago they moved to a place where there was no Catholic church (midwest U.S) so they joined the local Protestant church. Only by going back through your personal genealogical history will you find the answer to this question.

Answer 5

Episcopalians are Protestants. And your last name has nothing to with it. It was a choice made somewhere along the way.

Answer 6

If one's religion were based solely on how they were raised, then polygamy and the lack of any form of birth control would be essential doctrines.

Episcopalianism fits into the category of Protestantism. It's another term for the Church of England.

Answer 7

Because your family wanted to be Episcopalian? Religion has nothing to do with ethnicity.

Answer 8

I really do not know what you are asking. You ARE a Protestant. Try talking to those up your family tree.........

Answer 9

Maybe some very smart ancestor of yours wanted to belong to a church that would leave him/her alone most of the time.

Answer 10

Maybe they don't beleive that the Pope is supreme and non-falible???