Catholic vs Episcopal: Difference and Comparison

Is there a difference between Catholics and Episcopalians (Catholic vs Episcopal)?

Catholics and Episcopalians do share some similar beliefs. Episcopalians believe in the same Nicene Creed, Apostle Creeds and other historic creeds just like the Catholics.

Episcopalians also believe that the Holy Communion (communion bread and wine) are not just symbolic but elements transformed into the presence of Jesus Christ.

While the Roman Catholic is found in almost every part of the world, the Episcopal Church is based in the United States. The Episcopal Church allow women in some provinces to be ordained as priests, but in Catholicism, only men can be ordained as priests.

Keep reading as we will be discussing the difference between Catholics and Episcopalians.

What Is Catholic?

Catholic refers to the Western Christian Church as opposed to the Orthodox Church.

Catholicism is one of the main branches of Christianity that is distinguished by its belief in the authority of the Pope, Bishop of Rome or the head of the Catholic Church.

Members of the Roman Catholic Church are estimated to the over 1.2 billion, which makes it the second-largest religious group in the world. The Roman Church is almost found in every corner of the Earth.

The Vatican City which is officially the smallest country in the world is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The city is the residence of the Pope who oversees the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church’s teachings are based on the Holy Scripture, Magisterium, and sacred tradition. Catholics believe in the salvation of Christ and that one can achieve salvation by doing good deeds.

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What Is Episcopal?

The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion mainly based in the United States with more dioceses elsewhere.

Members of the Episcopal Church as of 2021 were over 1.6 million. About 1.5 million members of the church were in the United States. According to Wikipedia, Episcopalianism was the 14^th largest Christian denomination in the United States as of 2011.

Members of the Episcopal Church follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and they also believe in the Holy Scripture.

Episcopalians believe in the Nicene and Apostle Creed. Their belief and practices are centred on the life, teachings, and resurrection of Christ.

They believe that humans are the creation of God, made in the image and likeness of God, and so have the free will to make choices. Episcopalians believe that sin has power over us because we lose our liberty when we are not close to God.

The members of this church honour the tradition and liturgy in their practices. Bishops of the Episcopal Church have the authority to ordain other clergy members such as deacons and priests.

Catholic vs Episcopal: Major Differences between Catholics and Episcopalians

Beliefs and Practices

One of the differences between Catholics and Episcopalians is their religious belief and practice.

Catholics and Episcopalians both believe in penance- the confession of sins to a priest. However, in Catholicism, penance before an ordained priest is mandatory but it’s optional in the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church believe that one can also confess their sins directly to God. But it’s mandatory for Catholics seeking forgiveness from God to confess to a priest.

Another difference between Episcopalians and Catholics is how they pray. When Catholics pray, they request Mary and other saints for intercession.

Episcopalians pray in a different and they do not request the saints and Holy Mary for intercessions. Episcopalians believe in the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

Another difference between Catholics and Episcopalians is their practice of taking the Holy Communion.

The Roman Catholic Church has a strict requirement for members who can receive the Holy Communion. For one to receive the Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church, they must be baptized Catholics who have gone for confession.

Catholics who will receive the Holy Communion should also be in a state of sanctifying grace and not living in mortal sin.

The Episcopal Church also requires members to be baptized before they can receive the Holy Communion. However, Episcopalians can also receive the Holy Communion without being baptized.

Most dioces of the Episcopal Church have open Communion, which any Christian can participate in. These dioceses usually invite Christians to partake in Holy Communion.

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Catholic vs Episcopal: Clergy

Both the Roman Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church have priests, bishops, and deacons.

The difference between the Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church is who they can ordain as a priest.

Traditionally, the Roman Catholic only ordained men as priests. From the Pope, cardinals, and bishops, to the priest, no woman has ever been voted into these positions.

While the Catholic Church does not ordain women as priests, bishops, or cardinals, the Episcopal Church allow women to become priests.

According to EpiscopalChurch.org, its general convention in 1976 approved the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate in the Episcopal Church.

By 2006, the church elected its first female presiding bishop, Jefferts Schori. Schori defeated six men in the election during the Church’s General Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Schori became the first woman elected in that position and was formally installed on November 4, 2006. A woman was elected as a church-wide leader for the first time in the Episcopal Church’s 400-year history.

In contrast, the Roman Catholic Church only elect men as the head of the church. Each Pope of the Catholic Church has always been a man elected by men.

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Catholic vs Episcopal: Comparison Chart

	Catholic	Episcopalian
Authority	Catholic have a centralized authority of the Pope	The Episcopal Church does not believe in a centralized authority of a Pope
Origin	Roman province of Judea	The Episcopal Church is an American branch of the Anglican Church
Confession	Mandatory	Optional
Women	Women are not allowed to become priests	Women are allowed to become priest
Priest marriages	Not allowed	Allowed
Founder	Saint Peter the apostle	Saint Augustine
Clergy	Holy orders of deacons, monks, nuns, priests, and bishops. Archbishops, cardinal, and pope are offices.	Holy orders of deacons, priests, priests, and bishops.
Legislation	Cannon law, diocesan law, and papal decree	General convention of the Episcopalian Church of the United States
Original language	Latin and Greek; Aramaic and Hebrew	English
Geographical dominance	Worldwide	Based in the United States

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Catholic vs Episcopal: Similarities between Catholics and Episcopalians

Episcopalians and Catholics share similar beliefs and practices.

Both Catholics and Episcopalians believe in the Holy Trinity, and they also believe that members should be baptized to receive the Holy Communion.

Clergy members of the Roman Catholic Church and Episcopal Church include priests, deacons, and bishops. Both churches have a hierarchal structure and priests and bishops are clergy members who lead the congregation.

Additionally, clergy members of the Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church both dress in unique robes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions about Catholic vs Episcopal.

Do Episcopalians pray the rosary?

The Episcopal Church traditionally has a form rosary known as the Anglican Rosary or the Anglican prayer rosary. But many Episcopalians rarely use this prayer rosary.

Episcopalians who are close to Catholicism often use the rosary when praying.

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Do Episcopalians believe in heaven?

Yes! The Episcopal Church believe in heaven and hell. Unlike Catholics, Episcopalians do not believe that there is something like purgatory.

Conclusion

The Roman Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church generally share some similarities and differences. Their practices and beliefs differ but they believe in the Holy Trinity, Scripture, and the Holy Communion.

The Episcopal Church allow women in some provinces to be ordained as priests, but in Catholicism, only men can be ordained as priests.

Recommendations

References

CatholicsBible: What Is The Difference Between Catholic And Episcopal?
StThomasDc: Episcopalians and Roman Catholics
Wikipedia: Episcopal Church (United States)
Differencebetween: Difference Between Episcopalian and Catholic
Differences101: Episcopalian vs. Catholic: Everything You Need To Know About The Difference Between Episcopalian And Catholic
Coredifferences: 15 Differences Between Episcopalian and Catholic (With Table)

Catholic vs Episcopal: Difference and Comparison

What Is Catholic?

What Is Episcopal?