What is the difference between the Catholic Church and Episcopal Church?
I agree with a lot of the Catholic beliefs.
I do NOT agree with the Catholics Church’s take on homosexuality,infant purgatory and them not ordaining women.
I’ve heard the Episcopal Church is basically the same as the CC except they don’t recognize the Pope and they are more lenient.
So what are the big differences?
The Episcopal church is both catholic and reformed at the same time, holding onto catholicity of the early church all the while seeing this through the enlightenment of the Reformation.
Some of the primary differences of the Episcopal church are rejection of the idea that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) has primary authority over the Church Universal, clergy can marry, transsubtantiation of Eucharist is not mandatory doctrine, females can be ordained as priests in most dioceses and provinces, much less centralized control by church hierarchy, lay persons have far greater involvement in church administration and leadership, bishops are generally elected (as opposed to being appointed by a central authority), and there’s a system of governance that is similar to our federal structure with bicameral houses and a presiding bishop.
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May 12 2010 12:16 pm | Catholic
theone78 on 12 May 2010 at 5:58 pm #
The Episcopal church is both catholic and reformed at the same time, holding onto catholicity of the early church all the while seeing this through the enlightenment of the Reformation.
Some of the primary differences of the Episcopal church are rejection of the idea that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) has primary authority over the Church Universal, clergy can marry, transsubtantiation of Eucharist is not mandatory doctrine, females can be ordained as priests in most dioceses and provinces, much less centralized control by church hierarchy, lay persons have far greater involvement in church administration and leadership, bishops are generally elected (as opposed to being appointed by a central authority), and there’s a system of governance that is similar to our federal structure with bicameral houses and a presiding bishop.
References :
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_the_Episcopal_Church_and_the_Catholic_Church
Paul M on 12 May 2010 at 6:18 pm #
Basically, an Episcopal priest is just a Roman Catholic priest who flunked Latin.
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Freetoexpress on 12 May 2010 at 7:02 pm #
i converted to ISLAM and now I believe in one god the creator of all :ALLAH
116] And behold! Allah will say: "O ‘Isa the son of Maryam! didst thou say unto men, ‘Worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah’?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, Thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden.
[117] "Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord’; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when thou didst take me up thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things.
sourate al maeda of the QURAN
17] In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Al-Masih the son of Maryam. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His Will were to destroy Al-Masih the son of Maryam, his mother, and all, everyone that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth. For Allah hath power over all things."
[18] (Both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are sons of Allah, and His beloved." Say: "Why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, ye are but men, of the men He hath created: He forgiveth whom He pleaseth, and He punisheth whom He pleaseth: and to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: and unto Him is the final goal (of all)."
72] They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Al-Masih the son of Maryam." But said Al-Masih: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.
[73] They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.
74] Why turn they not to Allah and seek His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[75] Al-Masih, the son of Maryam, was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth make His Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!
[76] Say: "Will ye worship, besides Allah, something which hath no power either to harm or benefit you? But Allah, He it is that heareth and knoweth all things."
[77] Say: "O People of the Book! exceed not in your religion the bounds (of what is proper), trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by, who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the even Way.
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CrustyCurmudgeon on 12 May 2010 at 7:21 pm #
You have to differentiate between Anglicans and Episcopalians when answering this question. A good many Anglicans (original Episcopalians) denounce homosexuality and some are former Episcopalians who have affiliated with African Bishops to form new churches in the US.
The Episcopal church’s position is basically "God didn’t make any imperfect people".
Both generally agree that the path to heaven is not exclusively through any church or person. Read the URL below for a bunch of heavy theology.
References :
http://creedalchristian.blogspot.com/2009/08/presiding-bishop-whole-world-has-access.html
David on 12 May 2010 at 7:54 pm #
Avoid both, especially avoid catholicism. Catholicism cannot get anyone into heaven, because catholicism teaches works for salvation, and that is a false gospel of works (Galatians 1:6-9) that is against JESUS’S free gift of salvation!
And catholicism will not give you a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, which is what JESUS wants with you!
So, you need to get away from catholicism, and instead, to believe in JESUS for His free gift of salvation!
Jesus is God, and Jesus loves you so very much!
And the Trinity is true!
The truth about Jesus is that the only way to be saved and to get into heaven and avoid being sent to hell, is by believing in Jesus for His free gift of salvation, believing in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died on the cross for all our sins as FULL PAYMENT for all our sins, and then Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe in Jesus for His free gift of salvation, and you will be in heaven, no matter what!
Salvation is a FREE GIFT that happens in a split second when you believe in JESUS for His free gift of salvation! It is impossible to lose or "leave" salvation (John 6:39-40, John 10:28, 1 John 5:13).
Please pray now: "Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross to pay for my sins and that You rose from the dead, and I thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die!
References :
As for a church, find a simple Bible church or Baptist church that teaches the Bible!
You can put your zip code in this search engine, and find one: http://www.sbc.net/churchsearch/default.asp
If you are outside the USA, you can search here: http://www.wayoflife.org/directory/international.html
.
Feel free to email me if you need more help: chr37899@yahoo.com
I’m a Pastor
DUPER2009 on 12 May 2010 at 8:40 pm #
episcopals are bishops and the church has some women as priests and openly gay priests.. they don’t have icons or statues and they don’t venerate the holy sacrament.. the sacrament of the holy communion is just a symbol.. and some of them are more protestant… they have a liturgy similar to catholic..the book of common prayer.. and the roman church holds to be the true jesus church and the pope represents peter and well if you are looking an affirming church the episcopal churches some of them are gay friendly but not all of them. since they are divided.. anglo catholics are closer to the roman doctrines.. women as priests.. well Jesus only named men as apostles no women!
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upyr1 on 12 May 2010 at 9:16 pm #
I’m a former Episcopalian here are the historic differences- Most Anglicans don’t pray the rosary or ask for the intercession of saints, and lack a monastic tradition.
They also don’t have purgatory. Now they ordain homosexuals, and women. So I think you would fit right.
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Tapestry6 on 12 May 2010 at 9:49 pm #
Episcopal is another name for Anglican Church which is an offshoot of the Catholic
Church founded by King Henry VIII in England in 1534.
The Anglicans have people deciding on what they want. there is no real head to
their church; though traditionally they have an Archbishop, used for ceremonies as
head of their church he doesn’t have any real power or authority.
Each church goes off on its on tangent, there is not central authority so if you
like a free church without ceremonies you might consider Methodist too.
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Matt on 12 May 2010 at 10:37 pm #
Sounds like you really don’t know the Catholic Churches beliefs by listing ‘infant purgatory’.
The Episcopal Church is a church that broke off from the Catholic Church.
The difference is like choosing to live in two different states. One state outlaws murder, assault, rape, killing kids, etc. The state next door is ‘more lenient’ as you say and allows murdering kids if you feel the baby will be a burden and cuts corners on other crimes because it is easier.
You decide for yourself what road Jesus would rather you take.
Also, please pick up a copy of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church from your library. Read it before you decide that you have a problem with Catholic beliefs. Sounds like you don’t know what you are talking about from your question.
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imacatholic2 on 12 May 2010 at 10:43 pm #
"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.
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html
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.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.shtml
With love in Christ.
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answer4you on 12 May 2010 at 11:11 pm #
"I agree with a lot of the Catholic beliefs." — GOD BLESS you for having been given the graces to agree with some of the teachings.
"I do NOT agree with the Catholics Church’s take on homosexuality,infant purgatory and them not ordaining women." — The Churches take on homosexuality is GOD’s teachings on the subject. Remember that the Church preserves the teachings and is guided by the Holy Spirit in ALL THINGS… not just in some things. As for infant purgatory, please cite the article in the CCC on the official teaching and I’d be more than happy to respond. Lastly, ordination has always been male, even back in the OT. The Levitical Priests were male, the Apostles were male, and our Priests today remain male. If GOD’s intention was to ordain women, then surely HE would have ordained HIS Mother, who is unarguably, HIS MOST LOYAL AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
GOD BLESS…
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I’m CATHOLIC
THE CATHOLIC on 12 May 2010 at 11:58 pm #
As a former Episcopalian which is a direct member of the Church of England that abandoned Catholic Teachings in order for a King to Divorce and remarry which resulted in His excommunication which excommunicated the Church of England as he had proclaimed him self head of the Church of England and not under the authority of the Pope.
As all that have left the Church their Church has splintered within it’s self and right now large groups of Anglican Churches including the Church of Ireland have sought to rejoin the Catholic Church. As far as beliefs go it’s pretty much how ever you want to believe. Some want to believe like Catholics and others want to think act and believe as Gays would prefer it should be. I used extreme differences within the Episcopal Church and you can figure it out the rest of there beliefs. The thing of it is that every Church or group of believers that left the Catholic Church are splintered and divided like lost wandering sheep all searching for truths there ancestors once had but are now lost in the mish mash of human understanding and not Gods. As for infant Purgatory i think you meant Limbo which is not Catholic teaching but a train of thought where unbaptized babies go at death. As far as no Women Priest then why did Christ not appoint Women as Apostles? Women do hold a important place in the structure of the Church in various roles but are not allowed to offer up the sacrifice of the Mass. Why in simple terms,because the Priest is representing and standing in Christ place at that moment the same as when Christ first offered up the Bread and the Cup. It is more involved but this is the simplest way to explain it to those who do not understand just as with the Bible readings during Mass only the Priest or Deacon can read the words of the Gospel. Hopefully i’ve not confused you but helped you.
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