Ethan Walker
The closest non-Catholic denominations to Catholicism are considered to be Anglicanism, Episcopalian Christians in the American branch of Anglicanism, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Anglicanism is a mainline Protestant denomination with theologically and politically liberal positions. The Episcopal Church, a close cousin to Anglicanism, is also a Protestant denomination based in the United States. The Eastern Orthodox Church was historically one with the Roman Catholic Church, sharing similar beliefs and accepting the first seven ecumenical councils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Anglicanism, Episcopalian Christians, Old Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Churches |
| Mass | Anglicanism and Episcopalian Christians offer Mass |
| Eucharist | Eastern Orthodox Churches offer the Eucharist |
| Sacraments | Anglicanism and Episcopalian Christians offer sacraments |
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What You'll Learn
Anglicanism
In terms of sin and confession, Anglicans believe that inward or corporate confession is sufficient, with the most important thing being one's own conscience. Anglicans also generally do not view saints as mediators to God, as Catholics do.
Despite these differences, there is a degree of overlap and dialogue between the two denominations. Anglicans believe that the Catholic Church is a true Christian Church, affirming their faith in Jesus Christ. There is also a shared concern for truth and a recent renewal of warmth between Anglican and Catholic leadership, with talk of eventual full communion between some Anglican provinces and the Catholic Church.
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Episcopalian Christianity
The Episcopal Church has a sacramental understanding of worship. Episcopalians believe that sacraments are material things that God uses to act in human lives. Baptism and the Eucharist are considered the "two great sacraments of the Gospel", with Confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction identified as "sacramental rites". The Eucharist or Holy Communion is considered the "principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day".
The Episcopal Church has played a significant role in American history, with about three-quarters of the signers of the Declaration of Independence affiliated with the church, and over a quarter of US presidents identifying as Episcopalians. The church has also been associated with old money and prominent American families, such as the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Du Ponts. Additionally, the Episcopal Church has the highest number of graduate and postgraduate degrees per capita among Christian denominations in the US.
In recent years, the Episcopal Church has experienced a decline in membership and attendance, with a significant number of converts from other Christian denominations, including Roman Catholicism. The church has also faced internal controversies, with conservative bishops objecting to initiatives aimed at promoting black empowerment and inclusion.
Overall, Episcopalian Christianity offers a more flexible and inclusive approach to worship and theology compared to Roman Catholicism, while still maintaining a strong sacramental and liturgical tradition.
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Eastern Orthodox Churches
The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, is one of the three major doctrinal and jurisdictional groups of Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism. It is also referred to as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity. As of 2012, it is the third-largest religious community in the world, with approximately 300 million members. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the primary religious confession in Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Greece, Belarus, Serbia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Cyprus, and Montenegro. Additionally, it has a presence in the Americas, Asia, Australia, Western Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa.
The Eastern Orthodox Church operates as a communion of autocephalous (self-governing) churches, each governed by its bishops via local synods. While there is no central authority figure like the Pope in the Catholic Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is recognised as primus inter pares ('first among equals'). The church is organised into several ancient and more modern Patriarchates, including Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Russia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Eastern Orthodox theology is based on the Scriptures and holy tradition, incorporating the dogmatic decrees of the seven ecumenical councils and the teaching of the Church Fathers. It holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and rejects the Filioque clause ("and the Son") added to the Nicene Creed by the Latin Church. The church teaches that through consecration by a priest, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The Virgin Mary is venerated as the Theotokos, or 'God-bearer', and is honoured in devotions.
Eastern Orthodoxy teaches that through baptism, believers enter a new life of salvation through repentance, with the purpose of sharing in the life of God through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Eastern Orthodox Christian life is viewed as a spiritual pilgrimage, where individuals imitate Christ and cultivate the practice of unceasing prayer. The church understands itself to be the Body of Christ, embracing all Christ's members on earth and those who have passed on to the heavenly life.
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Old Catholicism
The Old Catholic Church was founded by Benedictine Saints Willibrord and Boniface in 730 AD. It was authorized by the II Ecumenical Council of Letran in 1139 AD and later ratified by the IV Lateran Council of 1215. The church is part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. It is Catholic but not Roman, and Orthodox but not Eastern.
The Old Catholic Church upholds the conciliar basis of the church and accords a high place to tradition. They accept seven sacraments as of permanent obligation in the life of the church. The episcopate is accepted as a gift given by God to the church, and all Catholic bishops are considered equal. However, there are some differences in practice between Old Catholics and Roman Catholics. For example, confession to God in the presence of a priest is not mandatory, and celibacy for the clergy is optional in some Old Catholic churches.
The Old Catholic Church came into being after the First Vatican Council of 1869-70, during which the doctrine of the infallibility of the pope was promulgated. This led to widespread opposition, with one of the most notable figures being the church historian J.J.I. von Döllinger, who was excommunicated for his stance. Döllinger laid down three propositions for the Old Catholic churches:
- To bear witness for the truth and against new-fangled errors, especially the arbitrary development of new articles of the faith.
- To gradually bring into being a Church that will conform more closely to the ancient undivided Church.
- To serve as an instrument for the future reunion of separated Christians and Churches.
The Old Catholic Church is not in full communion with the Holy See. Member churches of the Union of Utrecht, which was formed in 1579, are in communion with the Anglican Communion, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden, and the Philippine Independent Church. The Union of Utrecht churches are primarily found in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In 2008, the Polish National Catholic Church formed the Union of Scranton, separating from the Union of Utrecht due to disagreements over the ordination of women and the blessing of same-sex marriages.
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Conservative Anglicanism
The Anglican Church, also known as the Episcopal Church in the United States, is the oldest Anglican Church in the country and is in communion with the Church of England. It is considered institutionally conservative due to its nature of staying the course rather than schism. However, its theology is often liberal and modernist, causing controversy within the Anglican Communion regarding marriage and sexuality.
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) was formed in response to these controversies, but it has faced challenges due to its stance on issues such as sexuality, supporting abstinence from homosexual activity, and the ex-gay movement. The ACNA has been described as a "syncretic province," and some Anglicans have chosen to leave for Eastern Orthodoxy or the Roman Catholic Church due to these disputes.
More conservative expressions of Anglicanism include the Anglican Province of Christ the King, the Reformed Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Orthodox Church, which was formed in opposition to the ordination of women and racial integration. These churches prioritize traditionalism and orthodoxy in their worship and practices.
Anglicanism, therefore, presents a diverse range of theological perspectives, with some branches closely resembling Catholic traditions and others embracing more liberal interpretations. Conservative Anglicanism, in particular, seeks to maintain traditional beliefs and practices while also adapting to modern contexts, making it the non-Catholic denomination closest to Catholicism.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest non-Catholic denomination to Catholicism is arguably Anglicanism, particularly conservative Anglicanism, or Episcopalian Christians in the American branch of Anglicanism.
Anglicanism is a Protestant denomination that was started by Martin Luther, who was excommunicated from the Catholic Church due to his teachings. Anglicanism shares similarities with Catholicism in terms of structure and sacraments, but there are differences in their beliefs and practices, such as the acceptance of homosexual priests in some branches of Anglicanism.
Yes, the Eastern Orthodox Church is also considered close to Catholicism. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches were historically one and the same until differences arose, such as papal authority and dominance. Additionally, there are independent Catholic churches, such as Old Catholicism, which separated from the Catholic Church over doctrinal concerns.
Catholicism is known for its structure, sacraments, and theological traditions. Within Catholic theology, justification is seen as encompassing salvation through the infusion of Christ's righteousness into the believer. The Catholic Church also recognizes the authority of the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome and has universal jurisdiction over the denomination.
