Not so rare as one might think.... Locally, there are quite a few Episcopal/Anglican churches. One is VERY HIGH --- the rector and the congregation refer to themselves as Anglican Catholics. There's lots of "signing" and the services are so close to the RC that sometimes guests who ARE RC think they've been to Mass. The closest church (in distance) is also High --- but refer to themselves as Epis/Anglicans. There's no signing there, though. Finally, there's another church about 1-1/2 miles away that's Low Church --- their service is not unlike the Methodist services I've been to. Finally, we have friends who attend an Epis. church about 8 miles away -- their services are very friendly -- guitar liturgies, etc...
CofE/Episcopalianism/the Anglican Communion - is big,and while services must follow a certain structure, there's plenty of freedom within the structure so as to reflect the individual congregation.
There are really only a few differences between Anglican/Epis/CofE and RC's: No Pope, so no problems with infallibility Divorce is not of the good, but it's accepted and folks can re-marry and still participate fully in religious services. Both males and females can choose to be priests, deacons, whatever They prefer our priests to be married; celibacy is nice, but they really prefer their priests married Abortion is not of the good, but the final decision is between the woman and God -- it's no one else's business.
Finally, it never ceased to amaze me how many congregants were former RC --- mostly making the change after divorce.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2005-11-10 05:07 am (UTC)CofE/Episcopalianism/the Anglican Communion - is big,and while services must follow a certain structure, there's plenty of freedom within the structure so as to reflect the individual congregation.
There are really only a few differences between Anglican/Epis/CofE and RC's:
No Pope, so no problems with infallibility
Divorce is not of the good, but it's accepted and folks can re-marry and still participate fully in religious services.
Both males and females can choose to be priests, deacons, whatever
They prefer our priests to be married; celibacy is nice, but they really prefer their priests married
Abortion is not of the good, but the final decision is between the woman and God -- it's no one else's business.
Finally, it never ceased to amaze me how many congregants were former RC --- mostly making the change after divorce.