Monday, August 31, 2009

Difference between Anglican and Roman Catholic?

1. The Roman Catholic Church respects the authority of the Roman Pontiff (Pope) as its Universal Shepherd. Although each diocese, headed by its Bishop, is a local Church in itself, there is unity and special bond with the diocese of Rome, whose Bishop – the Pope – the successor to Peter, is the collegial head by virtue of his seniority and special place among the Apostles. Meanwhile, each Anglican church belongs to the Anglican Communion because it is in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury and seeks to uphold the reformed order inherited from the Church of England. Yet each one is independent. The Archbishop has no legal authority outside of the Diocese of Canterbury. He serves as spiritual leader and symbol of unity.
2. The priests in the Roman Catholic Church uphold celibacy. Upon ordination, they promise not to get married. The priests in the Anglican Church are allowed to get married and have children.
3. The Roman Catholic Church rules out women ordination. Some Anglican Churches allow women-priests and women-bishops.
4. The Roman Catholic Church believes in the “real presence” (transubstantiation) in the Eucharist. That is why they are strict to refuse intercommunion or administering communion to those whose faith is different from them. The Anglican churches see no problem in intercommunion. They believe that the bread they receive is a symbol of Christ's body (transymbolisation / transignification).
These are some of the major differences.

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