Anglican/ Episcopalian
- The Anglican (Latin for "English Church") Church was started in the 16th Century by a guy named King Henry VIII, pictured here on the left. As the story goes, Henry wanted a divorce from his wife who was too old to bear children so he could give it a go with Anne Boleyn, who was younger and more up to the challenge. However the Pope would have none of it, so Henry made his own Church and split from Catholicism.
- I know what you're thinking: a church founded on a guy wanting to get a divorce? True but many members are quick to point out the Church's continuity with the Pre-Reformation Church of England so it's not like he pulled it out of nowhere.
- Believe in both the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed.
- I know what you're thinking: a church founded on a guy wanting to get a divorce? True but many members are quick to point out the Church's continuity with the Pre-Reformation Church of England so it's not like he pulled it out of nowhere.
- Believe in both the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed.
- As you can see on the right, King Henry got his way and was some what of a stud. He is pictured here with his various wives. Meanwhile, the Anglican church became very popular and sister churches sprouted up throughout the world.
- Today it has about 80 million members.
- The Episcopal Church of the United States is a member of a group of churches who fall under the term Anglican. In other words all Episcopals are Anglican but not all Anglicans are Episcopal.
- The Episcopal Church has allowed women to be priests for over 20 years. In 1988 Barbara Harris became the first woman to be an Anglican Bishop.
- Priests, male and female, can be married.
- Their spiritual head is the Archbishop of Canterbury who is selected by the UK Prime Minister.
- Their beliefs are a mixture of Protestantism and Catholicism, but most of them refer to themselves as Anglo- Catholic.
- In 1549, Archbishop Cranmer wrote The Book of Common Prayer which is held in very high regard in the Anglican Church and in English society.
- They are not so much into being strict and leave room for different interpretation of the scripture and individual freedom.
- They consider the Bible the inspired word of God and the Lord's Supper the central act of worship.
- Anglicans do practice confession, but many times its done as a part of the service. The priest will invite everyone to confess their sins, they will do so through silent prayer, everyone says a prayer of repentance together, and the priest absolves everybody at once.
- Private confession is available but it's rare for anybody to make use of it. Anglicans believe more that turning from sin and direct prayer to God are the way to receive reconciliation.
- Do not believe in Purgatory.
- Do not ask saints to intercede for them in Prayer, though saints are respected and recognized.
- They respect Mary but reject the Catholic idea that Mary was born without original sin or that she remained a virgin her whole life. They believe the Bible makes it clear that Jesus did have siblings.
- Do not tend to judge other Christians or exclude them from Heaven because of difference in belief.
- Today it has about 80 million members.
- The Episcopal Church of the United States is a member of a group of churches who fall under the term Anglican. In other words all Episcopals are Anglican but not all Anglicans are Episcopal.
- The Episcopal Church has allowed women to be priests for over 20 years. In 1988 Barbara Harris became the first woman to be an Anglican Bishop.
- Priests, male and female, can be married.
- Their spiritual head is the Archbishop of Canterbury who is selected by the UK Prime Minister.
- Their beliefs are a mixture of Protestantism and Catholicism, but most of them refer to themselves as Anglo- Catholic.
- In 1549, Archbishop Cranmer wrote The Book of Common Prayer which is held in very high regard in the Anglican Church and in English society.
- They are not so much into being strict and leave room for different interpretation of the scripture and individual freedom.
- They consider the Bible the inspired word of God and the Lord's Supper the central act of worship.
- Anglicans do practice confession, but many times its done as a part of the service. The priest will invite everyone to confess their sins, they will do so through silent prayer, everyone says a prayer of repentance together, and the priest absolves everybody at once.
- Private confession is available but it's rare for anybody to make use of it. Anglicans believe more that turning from sin and direct prayer to God are the way to receive reconciliation.
- Do not believe in Purgatory.
- Do not ask saints to intercede for them in Prayer, though saints are respected and recognized.
- They respect Mary but reject the Catholic idea that Mary was born without original sin or that she remained a virgin her whole life. They believe the Bible makes it clear that Jesus did have siblings.
- Do not tend to judge other Christians or exclude them from Heaven because of difference in belief.
- Westminster Abbey was built by the same King Henry VIII that established Anglicanism and is the place every coronation has been held since its foundation. It is also the tomb of many great kings and queens.