Do you think that the Catholic Church and the Church of England (Anglican) are really all that different?

Question

When you really get down to it?

Answer 1

No.

"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

Yes, they are different, because the Catholic Church, among one of its marks is ONE, while the Anglicans can't agree in nothing. The Catholic Church is Holy ( even though some of its members have not been that precisely and sadly for us), while some denominations in the Anglican community ordain homosexuals, women and support abortion. The catholic church is catholic (universal) belonging to Christ and for all men, not to a particular group of people or nationality, the Anglican church is the church of England with the King or Queen being its supreme head. This is an important issue: the Anglicans do non't recognize the Pope as their head and are not in communion with Rome.

On the outside they mak look very similar but as you go deeper the similarity dissapears. I will be honest though: there is a generalized movement of bringing back into communion the church of England with the Universal Church, and I hope for that to happen soon, but how will that happen i don't know, because they are not one in voice and creed, even if the bishop of canterbury aknowledged the Pope as succesor of pete and vicar of Christ, many would not follow him, but hey let's continue to pray, what is impossible for men is possible for God.

In a sense they are also simliar because the Anglican church was catholic in origin untill Henry VIII made all His subjects vow to him as head of the Church of England and disavow the Pope under penalty of death. Then the Church of England broke off and went its way. By doing this the Apostolic succesion so important for the Church was broken! The bishop of Canterbury ceased being a valid ordained and appointed bishop, they ceased being catholic even though they retained for a time the outter appearance untill Elizabeth I and Olive cromwell purged most of it of almost anything ressembling catholic.

Answer 3

They are quite similar except for a few issues. Much of the ritual is the same, but women can't be priests in the Catholic church. Anglican priests can marry. Catholic priests can't.

Answer 4

No. there aren't really different. In fact, if a Catholic is in a place that has no Catholic Church nearby, they are advised that the next best place to go to is a Church of England. I think CofE has some differences, but don't know enough about it to comment.

Answer 5

No. One is a break-off of the other. The thing that spawned the Church of England was King Henry's marriage problems. That created a problem with Rome, and Henry set up his own church, with him at the head of it.

Answer 6

No, especially in this day and age. They may have been back when it all started but a lot has changed. Though it was still strange for me, as a Catholic, to see women in St. Paul's in cassocks. lol

Answer 7

Oh, yes, most certainly. For one thing, Anglicans do not have valid orders, and without valid orders, they might as well be kids playing church in the backyard.

Answer 8

I don't know, I've been to many catholic churches, but I have never been to europe, let alone a church in england.



What are some of there practices and rituals

Answer 9

no they are very much the same - including a heirachy of priests. most denominations have sprung from the Catholic denomination and thus, are very similar.

Answer 10

No, when you get right down to it, they both teach male supremacy.