Is Anglican the same as Catholic?

Anglicanism keeps much of the ancient catholic order, bishops, creeds, sacraments, and its worship can feel similar. But it is a distinct tradition of the Reformation, not in communion with the Pope, and it reads Scripture as its final authority.

What is the Book of Common Prayer?

It is the shared liturgy of Anglican worship, first drawn up in the sixteenth century, giving set prayers and services soaked in Scripture. It shapes Anglican identity so deeply that Anglicans are sometimes said to pray their beliefs.

What is the difference between Anglican and Episcopal?

The Episcopal Church is the Anglican Communion's province in the United States. Episcopalians are Anglicans; 'Episcopal' simply reflects governance by bishops (episkopoi). See our page on the Episcopal Church.

Christian Traditions

What Is Anglicanism?

Anglicanism is the tradition of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion, some eighty-five million Christians across many nations. Born in the English Reformation, it has long seen itself as a via media, a middle way that keeps the ancient catholic order of bishops, creeds, and sacraments while embracing the Reformation’s recovery of Scripture and grace. Its worship flows from the Book of Common Prayer, and its breadth holds together believers of quite different emphases under one shared prayer.

What they believe and treasure

Anglicans treasure common prayer: the conviction that a church is formed by worshipping together in words drawn deeply from Scripture. The Book of Common Prayer gives them a shared liturgy for Sundays, seasons, weddings, and funerals, and much of the Bible is read aloud within it. They keep the historic creeds, the sacraments of baptism and communion, and bishops in continuity with the early Church.

Anglicanism is famously broad. Some parishes are 'high church', close to Catholic worship in beauty and ceremony; others are 'low church' or evangelical, plainer and sermon-centred; many sit in between. This breadth is treasured as a gift, room for different temperaments to worship the same Lord together, guided by Scripture, tradition, and reason.

What they share with all Christians

Anglicanism confesses the faith of the whole Church. Anglicans say the Nicene Creed, worship the one God, and hold to Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as the ground of their hope.

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

1 Corinthians 8:6

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Romans 10:9

These are the words of the one faith the Nicene Creed puts on the lips of every Christian: one God, one Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. On this the whole family stands together.

What is distinctive

What is distinctive is the via media itself and the Book of Common Prayer that carries it. Anglicanism deliberately holds catholic and reformed instincts together rather than choosing one, which gives it great breadth and, at times, real internal disagreement. Historically the reigning monarch is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, though the global Communion is a fellowship of independent provinces, not a single command structure.

Because Anglicans span so wide a range, they themselves hold different views on many questions, and in recent decades some of those differences have been sharp. It is fair to say the tradition prizes unity in the essentials while allowing latitude in much else.

What to expect if you visit

An Anglican service usually follows the Book of Common Prayer or a modern liturgy in its spirit: set prayers, Scripture readings, a sermon, hymns, and often Holy Communion. Depending on the parish it may feel formal and beautiful or warm and informal. Congregations stand, sit, and kneel at set points, and visitors are welcome to simply follow along in the service booklet. Most Anglican churches welcome any baptised Christian to receive communion.

Find a congregation near you

If the prayer-book worship and gentle breadth of Anglicanism appeal to you, a local parish is easy to visit. The surest way to understand any tradition is to go and see, to sit with the people, hear the Scriptures read, and meet the Christ they gather around. You are welcome.

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Come and see

Behind every tradition is the same living Person. Denominations are the many rooms of one house; the door into all of them is Jesus Christ himself, and he still draws near to everyone who comes with an open heart. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to begin, and it costs you nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anglican the same as Catholic?: Anglicanism keeps much of the ancient catholic order, bishops, creeds, sacraments, and its worship can feel similar. But it is a distinct tradition of the Reformation, not in communion with the Pope, and it reads Scripture as its final authority.
What is the Book of Common Prayer?: It is the shared liturgy of Anglican worship, first drawn up in the sixteenth century, giving set prayers and services soaked in Scripture. It shapes Anglican identity so deeply that Anglicans are sometimes said to pray their beliefs.
What is the difference between Anglican and Episcopal?: The Episcopal Church is the Anglican Communion's province in the United States. Episcopalians are Anglicans; 'Episcopal' simply reflects governance by bishops (episkopoi). See our page on the Episcopal Church.

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