What are the differences between being catholic and being c. of e?

Answer 1

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

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 many 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.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

In the beginning of the Church of England, the only difference was that the Pope was the head the Catholic Church and the King of England (Henry VIII at the time) decided that he would like to be the head of the Church of England. There were no other differences---Anglicans share the rites of mass, pray the rosary, ask for the intercession of saints, venerate the role of Mary in the Church......etc all the stuff we think of as stereotypically "Catholic." Then, in 1934, the Church of England was the first Christian denomination to break from the tradition of opposing contraception (look up what Martin Luther and/or John Calvin said about contraception sometime!). At first, it was just for married couples, then Anglicans began to engage in premarital sex, and today they believe that St. Paul was wrong about homosexuality and it should be okay (although the African/Latin American arms of the Church seem to be in the process of breaking with the Western part of the Church over this issue).
If you would like a concrete example of how similar the Church of England and the Catholic Church once were, read C. S. Lewis---he was a member of the Church of England before it had slipped too terribly far from its origins. Also, other books written during the 40's and such by Anglicans also talk about the importance of the rosay, of Holy Eucharist and so and so forth.
I hope this was helpful. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Answer 3

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Contrary to some foolish answers given, there are many similarities between the Church of England and the Church of Rome.
The Church of England owes its existence to the Roman Catholic Church and in fact states that it is THE Catholic Church in England, with unbroken apostolic succession.
Unlike previous answers, many Anglicans venerate the Saints, the Virgin Mary and also pray the Rosary!
The Church of England has a broad faith band, at the top end, it is almost indistinguishable from the Roman Catholic Church with the same beliefs and practises.
The biggest difference between them is that the Church of England does not accept the Bishop of Rome (The Pope) as having jurisdiction over the Anglican Church. However, relations between the two Churches are good and cordial.

Answer 4

The Church of England is the Reformed branch of the Catholic Church. Its doctrines are set out in the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion, which were drawn up about 450 years ago http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:H55nKgp3268J:www.acl.asn.au/39articles.html+the+thirty+nine+articles+of+religion&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4.
In very broad terms, the Church of England disagrees with the Roman Catholic Church over the celibacy of the priesthood, the supremacy of the Pope, the fact that the Roman Church does not distribute the wine as well as the bread to communicants, the need for confession before a priest, the existence of Purgatory (interestingly enough even the Roman Church has announced that it no longer believes in limbo!) and salvation by works as opposed to faith. It believes in Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man. It also encourages the study of the Bible and in some cases (not all Anglicans agree) the ordination of women.
The Church of England embraces the Evangelical tradition and the Catholic tradition of worship and some Anglicans go to confession and even say their rosaries. In fact, I could name one famous Anglican church in London which attracts a great many overseas tourists who attend services and go away again never even realising that they have attended a Church of England service rather than a Roman Catholic mass.

Answer 5

As a Catholic I know of the absolute importance of Sacred Scripture. The Mass which is attended by Catholics daily and on Sunday profoundly scriptural. I read my bible. The Church of England I know less about. But I do know that it was a break off of the Catholic.

Answer 6

The Church of England does not acknowlege the supremacy of the pope, though he's recognized as a bishop.
Any "Ecumenical" Councils held after the C of E broke with the RC Church are not recognized by C of E, and doctrines formulated at them are not considered binding.
The C of E has the same sacraments and basic doctrines as the RC Church.

Answer 7

My understanding of it is that Catholics pray to Mary, (Mother of Jesus). They also believe that she was a virgin, whereas C of E believe Jesus had a brother, James so therefore she could not have been one. Catholics also tend to be a little bit more orthodox. They are a lot stricter (if that's the right word). They also have a few more bits in their bible. i think its 4 books, forget what they are called.... apocriphia?

Answer 8

The church of england broke off of Catholism in the time of Henry VIII. It was the church he created so he could get a divorce.

Answer 9

i don't think they c of e approve the pope.
(my thought. srry if i'm wrong)
i know that catholics approve mary as god's mother but some divisions don't

Answer 10

ummmm i know that catholics believe in acknowleding/praying to the saints and also saying The Rosary (its like a necklace of beads with a cross at the end of it) whereas Church of England (or Anglicans) do not......