How to Identify Differences Between Catholic and Episcopal Services
Some people wonder about the differences between Episcopal and Catholic services or masses. In fact, they are much the same and, yet, vary in some aspects. Learn the facts about two important religions and what they do not have in common.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Notice the liturgy (the words that the churchgoers, or parishioners, and church leaders recite) are very much alike, even if the order varies a bit. Some differences may include the versions of the prayer book that the Episcopalians use. The book is very contemporary and feminist versions are available. A church sometimes experiments with these. Notice that The Lord's Prayer ends with one extra long sentence.
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Listen to the music. Older Anglican (Episcopalian) music tends to go back 400 years and is heavy on the organ and classical borrowings. Catholic music, especially in contemporary services, incorporates more guitar and modern hymns which may be more melodic and easier to understand in terms of language. Individuals in each group have their favorites, and indeed, some songs are found in both hymn books.
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3
Behold the woman priest who may be offering communion in the Episcopal service, as well as the acolytes (altar boys), who in fact may be altar girls. This is allowed in the Episcopal religion. Not only that, but priests of either gender may be married (same sex marriage included).
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4
Go ahead and take communion even if you are divorced, not baptized or without your First Communion in the Episcopal service. There is no First Communion, only Confirmation in the teenage years. All are invited and included to partake in the Body and Blood. The Catholics are more stringent regarding communion.
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5
Realize that the Episcopalians are not officially against abortion, while the Catholics are. They also don't have a problem with gay rights.
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Comments
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I am confused, If a Preist can live with a person of their own sex and raise children, how can this not be fonication. if a man and women fonicate, its a sin, but this gay man with a lover can preach the word of God. someone please expaine that one.
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musings2
Dec 29, 2009
There is a lack of field experience in this explanation. Plenty of Catholic churches employ girl acolytes (altar girls). The universality of the Catholic church nevertheless permits local customs in many of its practices. Lay people, male and female, distribute communion wafers and wine. A married deacon may stand with the priest at the most critical part of the mass (offertory, consecration and communion) after having been the one to deliver the homily. Married clergy are acceptable if they were already married when they entered the priesthood (best example: Episcopal priests who converted). Lots more people are allowed to take communion than in the past. But in its zeal to bring back those immigrants (perhaps) who have been evangelized by other faiths (such as Jehovah's Witnesses), there has been some enthusiasm for reviving some of the pre-Vatican II mystery. I also notice that in... -
GreatScott
Aug 28, 2008
This is a very very very simplified version of the Episcopal faith, which I find, frankly, offensive. There is a great deal of difference between Episcopal churches, ranging from the "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Catholic" to the "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Lutheran." However, despite their theological similarities to other faiths, the Episcopal church is a distinct body with a strong tradition of apologetics and reasoning. In future articles, please do more research regarding church policies concerning the ordination of women, homosexuals, and abortion.
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GreatScott
Aug 28, 2008
This is a very very very simplified version of the Episcopal faith, which I find, frankly, offensive. There is a great deal of difference between Episcopal churches, ranging from the "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Catholic" to the "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Lutheran." However, despite their theological similarities to other faiths, the Episcopal church is a distinct body with a strong tradition of apologetics and reasoning. In future articles, please do more research regarding church policies concerning the ordination of women, homosexuals, and abortion.
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GreatScott
Aug 28, 2008
This is a very very very simplified version of the Episcopal faith, which I find, frankly, offensive. There is a great deal of difference between Episcopal churches, ranging from the "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Catholic" to the "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Lutheran." However, despite their theological similarities to other faiths, the Episcopal church is a distinct body with a strong tradition of apologetics and reasoning. In future articles, please do more research regarding church policies concerning the ordination of women, homosexuals, and abortion.
