what is the difference between the catholic faith and the apiscopalian faith?

Question

Why do catholics pray to the Virgin Mary and is that not idolization?

Answer 1

--Is Catholic--

I suggest that you look into http://www.creeds.net which shows all different Christian beliefs in one place.

The Episcopalians are the US branch of the Anglican Communion. The ECUSA or as they are liking themselves now as TEC (The Episcopal Church) are very liberal Protestant for the most part. At their last meeting this summer they were unable to agree and vote on a resolution saying that Christ is the messiah and brought about salvation for all. So they are very liberal for the most part and follow neither historical Christianity or the Anglican Faith. There are, however some good Episcopalians who maintain their traditions and hold on to a fundamental belief in Christ.

Catholics are the fullness of Christianity and maintain a constant historical faith. The Compendium to the Catechism as well as the Catechism will help you to understand more about them. I also suggest reading
DOMINUS IESUS which can be found online at the Vatican's website.

--
Catholic's pray to the BV. Mary because she is an important person. She is the Mother of God and highly in tune with the will of God. She is the perfect human person and the perfect example of what it means to be obedient to the will of God.

Idolatry is false worship. Catholics do not worship Mary but pray to her. Prayer is not the same thing as worship. Protestants often get the two concepts confused. If you took a look at true Catholic worship such as the worship of the Eucharist, you would understand that the way Catholics pray to Mary is no where near what we do as worship.

Answer 2

+ Differences +

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are some minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

+ Saints +

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Episcopal Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 3

DOGMA then again - it isn't that the Catholic Church isn't a Christian Church - as a results of the undeniable fact that is - they DO believe in Christ Jesus - it really is the added issues they think that give way to doctrine transformations and maximum of that comes from the Catholic church homes Dogma. there are this variety of vast quantity of diverse denominations tagged to the CHRISTIAN conception that you'll discover those kept in maximum of them and those no longer kept in all of them. Christian faith is the believe and LOVE - undoubting - in the Lord Jesus. Christian faith isn't a conception in a faith or denomination, the CHURCH is the body of ALL believers, all authentic believers - those who persist with Christ Jesus - the pinnacle of the CHURCH is JESUS. this does no longer unavoidably exclude Catholics basically because it does no longer unavoidably exclude different denominations, even with the undeniable fact that it also does no longer comprise neither Catholic or the different denomination as a results of earthly assembly (earthly church- denomination) that one attends. maximum Christians do no longer even get that.

Answer 4

Hm. I can tell you that the Episcopalian Church is the American branch of the Anglican church. I believe it originally split from the Catholic church not so much because of theological differences, but organisational ones... But has evolved to be quite different since the split took place.

Also, because Catholics consider Mary the mother of God, and thus directly and intrinsically linked to God, I don't think it could be considered idolatry to worship her.

Suggest you reference the two articles (below) for more information...

Answer 5

Because they also believe that a human (priest, bishop, or pope) has the authority to forgive sin. they believe the little cracker they eat is truly Jesus and not a symbol of the Lord's Supper. Based on their cathechisms, they believe the Pope to be God in the flesh on this earth. Take a look at this page, just a little ways down on catholicism...
http://planttel.net/~meharris1/mikescorner.html