For Roman Catholics
I'm a Roman Catholic. What can I expect?
We are "catholic" in the original sense of the word. Catholic means “universal.” We believe in the historic church, its creeds, and the traditions that affirm God’s universal love. Like Roman Catholics, we believe that in the mystery of God we are accepted into his love even when we are sinners. And the way we know this love is through the church, and the events that represent God’s love – the sacraments. Like Catholics we have bishops and we respect the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.
What do you think about Roman Catholics?
The Roman Catholic Church is a true church, but not the only true church. In spite of my feelings about some of its teachings, if I hold a different view, the church is not necessarily wrong. Further, I also don't hold the view that I must be wrong if the church disagrees. A "true" church, I believe, teaches the unconditional, complete witness of God's love
through his grace. Christians talk about this in more concrete ways through the life, witness and stories about Jesus Christ - every Sunday.
The church takes a view - and Christians are held in relationship to that teaching. It may be the orienting, or normal position. The church takes a view in part for the sake of having a structure to gather and talk. My perspective is that our joy and gratitude are the foundations of church teaching. Alas, they are not always the outcome of church teaching. Joy and Gratitude are experienced in relationship with
others, especially through prayer.
Why did Anglicans break from the Roman Catholic Church?
Our church broke away from the Church of Rome in part because of a political dispute. In the 16th century, religion and politics were tightly wound together. The pope was a political power in his own right. After his brother died, the young Henry VIII was forced to marry Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s wife, by the pope and his advisors for political reasons. This was against the original teaching of the church. But the pope granted a special dispensation.
When Catherine could not bear a son, the Henry VIII asked for an annulment because he needed a son. In those days, having a son who could claim the throne would avoid a costly war - kings, after all, were ordained by God to rule. The pope refused because the Vatican was surrounded by the troops of Charles V, Catherine’s brother. Although Henry VIII had been called “defender of the faith ” for his defense of Roman Catholicism against Lutheranism, he then argued that the catholic church did not need to follow the pope politically. So he declared himself head of the church. He would appoint bishops, as had previously been the practice hundreds of years before. He was a lusty king, to be sure.
His daughter Elizabeth, however, tempered this strong stand and asserted the throne’s political sovereignty from the Roman Church. The church gained its comprehensive and tolerant character under her leadership. Roman Catholics, who were considered threats to security, and Quakers, who actively challenged the public piety of the day, were the only churches seriously circumscribed.
James I would then convene the council that would translate the bible now known as the King James Version.
You have sacraments and confession. It seems a lot like Roman Catholicism
The Episcopal and Anglican churches are very similar to the Roman Catholic Church and we profess the same Lord. For example, we believe that:
- Bishops are the head of the church, under Christ.
- The Saints and the Virgin Mary knew God through Jesus Christ
- That reason and logic are works of the Holy Spirit when in the service of God
Anglicans and Episcopalians affirm the sacraments represent something that already exists. God already loves you. So we have baptism. God invites you to his table. So we have the Eucharist. God wants to forgive you. So we have confession. People see God in each other and want to create more life. So we have marriage. Love already exists. We believe the sacraments represent that love.
Anglicans consider private confession optional. We say “all may, some should, none must.” We believe that the general confession in the mass can represent your own contrition. We don’t fully know the depth of God’s ability to forgive and accept us. We also don’t know how deeply we love God. Anglicans affirm that in Jesus, all of creation has been redeemed. God lives deeply in the world – in all living things. This means that we find God in our concrete and ordinary lives. Some often emphasize sinfulness and God’s judgement. We emphasize hope in God’s mercy and redemption.
Our church has two different theological “parties:” one humanistic, one evangelical. Both have their roots in the theological tumult during the reformation (some argue that a true humanism is evangelical and a true evangelism is humanistic!). Both affirm the centrality of Jesus Christ. We have several liturgical parties – high church (with incense and singing), low church (the mass once a month and the priest is called “pastor”) and broad church (a little of both). All parties believe the sacraments, the liturgical authority of bishops, and the merit of truth as witnessed in one’s individual conscience. Many churches seek to bring together both humanistic and evangelical theologies with a high church liturgy where we can experience God’s kingdom, as described in scripture, represented tangibly.
Why are there married and women priests?
We believe priests can be married. In the 11th century the emperor and the pope agreed that clergy should be celibate because priests were passing on property to their children. There had been a lax tradition of celibacy, but the inheritances threatened the power of the emperor. Therefore, we believe that clergy may be celibate, but that it is a personal call, not a rule for all.
We also believe that women may have the talents required to be a liturgical leader of a church. Firstly, there is historical evidence that the early church relied on women to organize the faith. Secondly, a priest is selected on the basis of their ability to live into his or her baptismal vows, and the church’s particular needs, not on their gender. We also believe that in the mass, gender is an “accident” and does not determine salvation. God does not stop the mass if the celebrant is a woman. If the church considers a woman an effective leader, then it may ordain and call a woman priest.
Are you a small freaky breakaway church?
The Episcopal Church is not a special church. We consider ourselves part of the one holy apostolic church. We are part of the catholic and universal church.
Episcopal churches have problems themselves - it sometimes tries to please everyone, and in doing so can't claim much moral authority, leaving much ethical work in the hands of the state and market. The Catholic church claims this authority. Of course, this also invites it to make bad decisions. But the Catholic church has a right to be wrong.
More specifically, we are part of the Anglican Communion. This consortium of churches includes the Church of England, Australia, the Church of Canada, and many African and Indian Churches. In Spain there is a small Spanish Reformed Church, and there are large Episcopal churches especially in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Cuba, Belize, Panama and the Caribbean. We are in full communion with the Old Catholic Church in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the North and Southern Churches of India. We have discussions with and the Mar Thoma, Syrian Orthodox and other historic churches. We have now entered into full communion with the Lutheran church, which includes the churches of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. We continue our conversations with the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, for mutual understanding and encouragement.
I really hate the British. Do you have anything to say about that?
We're Americans. We're Episcopalians. Minimally, we have bishops who keep the system organized. They keep churches moving forward. And we're democratic, so the laity do contribute to church polity and theology.
Many of us are ambivalent about the work of the British empire. Most of us have learned to accept some of the good aspects of the theology, while recognizing that the state did some nasty things to people. Many people in the church have families of Irish, West Indian or African descent. We might still enjoy Pimms, mincemeat pies, and Monty Python.
There are English people in the congregation, as well as people from other countries that were not influenced by the British Empire.
Sometimes at Funerals we might have bagpipes or an Irish Ballad. The rector, however, does sing Irish songs and play Irish fiddle. He doesn't wear green on St. Patrick's day. Its enough to enjoy a glass of the old mountain dew.
Should I convert? How do I do it?
Catholics don't convert to Episcopalianism - they are "received." You won't leave the historic church: you will have entered into a denomination where the laity have much more authority, for better or worse, and understands itself differently in relation to the state. We are transparent and democratic in our organization, pastorally centered in our theology.
I love the Episcopal church. But don't rush into any decision thinking you should abandon your tradition. If you decide to become active in an Anglican church, do it because it will make you a better Catholic. And the whole purpose of the Catholic church is to form disciples of Jesus Christ.
Many of the people in my church are former Roman Catholics. Chances are, they would have remained "bad" Catholics if they hadn't found the Episcopal church. They wanted to be in a place where they felt comfortable being active participants in the church's work. They know the church's teaching, but just would have always been sidelined. And they wanted more.
If they remained in the Roman church, they would probably be "Christmas and Easter" Christians. A few of them were divorced, for example, and found the Episcopal church more hospitable. We're not badgering them about the decadent and sinful lives they lead. They would have probably continue to have gay friends and support their lives, and just ignored the priest when they spoke about homosexuality. Instead, they decided to be part of a catholic community that starts where they are. Some of them may never formally become Episcopalians, but they have found an occasional home.
I know there is still a place for you in Roman Catholicism. So if you are seeking, feel free to take your time. Don't fret - there is an open invitation for you at God's altar in the Episcopal church, at any time, whatever your decision is. You can take communion as you please. Be sure to introduce yourself to the rector.