What is the most important thing...

[OrthoCanuck]

about being an Anglican for you? Why are you an Anglican rather than ____? I'm curious. My mom's an Anglican and that is the way I was raised. I'm currently RC, but I am considering returning to the Anglican church. But I would like to know what you like about the church and why you chose it (or chose to stay in it).

Thanks. Peace.

[gtsecc]

Well, I think you only have 3 or 4 choices to be part of the Catholic Apostolic Church.
So, once you get to that conclusion, then it is trickier.

[PaladinValer]

1. The Book of Common Prayer. This is THE Liturgy book of all time, and it is our's.
2. Music. Anglicans are known to have some of the best music in our hymnals and anthams and the best choirs
3. We are Catholic. We didn't "break" due to theological reasons but due to corruption and political reasons.
4. We are Traditional. We hold to the same Holy Tradition that the Vatican Catholics and Eastern Orthodox do.
5. We are Apostolic. We have a valid Apostolic Succession and continue in the Apostolic Tradition.

Could give more, but that should suffice for now :)

[ixoye87]

Well, I found the current church I'm in very word based, and that's what i like. I go for the modern youth service, so it's not very catholic. I was previously from a methodist church. I think u shld pary abt ur decision and see if it's God's will for u to go back to the anglican church. Follow God's heart and not your own, and see which church u r comfortable with. For me, I'm most comfortable with st andrew's cathedral, the place is realy homely, just went there last year. But I walk around the cathedral like it's my second home.

[gitlance]

Because the Anglican Communion is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church that Christ founded way back in AD 33. For me, it was the only viable choice (besides maybe the EO Church, but there were technical problems with me choosing them. Theologically, I pretty much agree with everything they say.)

[Colabomb]

about being an Anglican for you? Why are you an Anglican rather than ____? I'm curious. My mom's an Anglican and that is the way I was raised. I'm currently RC, but I am considering returning to the Anglican church. But I would like to know what you like about the church and why you chose it (or chose to stay in it).

Thanks. Peace.
When I searched for the Catholic and Apostolic Church, the first church we attended was Anglican. I fell in love with Catholicism, and since I had a perfectly good church already I stuck with it.

That and to me Anglicans are the most "Catholic" of the Catholic Churches.

[Iron Sun 254]

I left the Catholic church because I felt that is was hypocritical for me to belong to a church with a doctrine of papal infallibility when I disagreed with the Pope. I also couldn't accept a church that said "none are welcome at God's table accept those who agree us." I found the ability to say "I disagree" and the idea that all Christians are welcome at the Episcopal church.

[pmcleanj]

about being an Anglican for you? Why are you an Anglican rather than ____? I'm curious. My mom's an Anglican and that is the way I was raised. I'm currently RC, but I am considering returning to the Anglican church. But I would like to know what you like about the church and why you chose it (or chose to stay in it).

Thanks. Peace.


There is only one Church; the Body of Christ which is the Whole Company of All Faithful People. We become members of that one Church by the sacrament of Baptism. The Church is characterized by a sacerdotal priesthood which is inherited by all believers -- we all share in Christ's eternal priesthood -- and by a clerical priesthood comprising three orders: Bishops, Priests and Deacons.

If I knew of another denomination besides the Anglican denomination that truly held these beliefs, then that denomination would be interchangeable with ours, and indeed we would be inexorably called into communion with that denomination.

The Roman Catholic church is not such a denomination. They hold that the Body comprises only those people who are in submission to Rome, not the Whole Company of All Faithful People. They hold that hierarchical differences exist between Bishops, culminating in the authority of the Bishop of Rome. These are false doctrines that cause division in the Body of Christ. In particular, clerical hierarchicalism fosters power politics and compromise with secular politics, as can be seen throughout the history of that church, and from which the (anglican) Church is able to stand aside. Many secondary differences also flow from this authoritarian hierarchy: absolute statements on women's orders, birth control, liturgical flexibility and ecumenical relations, which rob Roman Catholics of the freedom and personal responsibility that the Church enjoys in Christ.

The Eastern Orthodox church comes close to the norms I have described, but in practicing closed communion they too effectively divide the Body. Lutherans, at least those from the Swedish heritage that preserved the historic episcopate, and those who have restored the historic episcopate, come very close indeed, and unsurprisingly we are inexorably called into communion with them.

[SirTimothy]

If I knew of another denomination besides the Anglican denomination that truly held these beliefs, then that denomination would be interchangeable with ours, and indeed we would be inexorably called into communion with that denomination.

That would be the Old Catholic Church? :-P Or do we consider them just Anglicans who haven't realised it yet.... ;)

Timothy

[pmcleanj]

That would be the Old Catholic Church? :-P Or do we consider them just Anglicans who haven't realised it yet.... ;)

Timothy :D

Yes, that would be the Old Catholic Church. And although we don't have formal documents of intercommunion with them, the de-facto intercommunion is evident.

And they are *also* just Anglicans who haven't realised it yet -- but I hold that opinion about all duly baptized Christians -- Canadian75 and even our faithful ps139 included!

[SirTimothy]

Yes, that would be the Old Catholic Church. And although we don't have formal documents of intercommunion with them, the de-facto intercommunion is evident.

I thought we did have formal documents as far as the members of the Utretch alliance are concerned--the OCCNA is still negotiating joining Utretcht, but if they do then it will be formalised, as I understand it?

Timothy

[PaladinValer]

Ps139 an Anglican? Hmmmm...

...

...

...I'd like to hear from the lips of the official Vatican Catholic ambassador himself what he thinks of this ;)

[pmcleanj]

Ps139 an Anglican? Hmmmm...

...

...

...I'd like to hear from the lips of the official Vatican Catholic ambassador himself what he thinks of this ;)

Shhh! Don't tell him! It's still a secret -- he hasn't realised it yet! :D

[PaladinValer]

**Wonders what the Queen Mum does in her spare time** :P

[Fish and Bread]

I'm Anglican because I believe it's the closest denomination out there to what the truth is. I often make it more complicated, but I'm coming to believe that ultimately it's as simple as that.

On a more practical level, I enjoy the combination of Catholic traditions with some of theology of the Reformation and the freedom not to leave my brain at the door when I come to church. :-)

John

[UberLutheran]

There is only one Church; the Body of Christ which is the Whole Company of All Faithful People. We become members of that one Church by the sacrament of Baptism. The Church is characterized by a sacerdotal priesthood which is inherited by all believers -- we all share in Christ's eternal priesthood -- and by a clerical priesthood comprising three orders: Bishops, Priests and Deacons.

If I knew of another denomination besides the Anglican denomination that truly held these beliefs, then that denomination would be interchangeable with ours, and indeed we would be inexorably called into communion with that denomination.

The Roman Catholic church is not such a denomination. They hold that the Body comprises only those people who are in submission to Rome, not the Whole Company of All Faithful People. They hold that hierarchical differences exist between Bishops, culminating in the authority of the Bishop of Rome. These are false doctrines that cause division in the Body of Christ. In particular, clerical hierarchicalism fosters power politics and compromise with secular politics, as can be seen throughout the history of that church, and from which the (anglican) Church is able to stand aside. Many secondary differences also flow from this authoritarian hierarchy: absolute statements on women's orders, birth control, liturgical flexibility and ecumenical relations, which rob Roman Catholics of the freedom and personal responsibility that the Church enjoys in Christ.

The Eastern Orthodox church comes close to the norms I have described, but in practicing closed communion they too effectively divide the Body. Lutherans, at least those from the Swedish heritage that preserved the historic episcopate, and those who have restored the historic episcopate, come very close indeed, and unsurprisingly we are inexorably called into communion with them.



The parish to which I belong in the ELCA has a large number of Swedish-descended Lutherans. Nobody in my parish had a problem with Called to Common Mission, because nobody in my parish had a problem with the historic episcopate (and neither did I). My pastor was ordained as a part of that historic episcopate (as was our Bishop), and an Episcopal bishop was also present at both.

Anybody who looks through the opening pages of the Lutheran Book of Worship will note an acknowledgement to the Book of Common Prayer for our liturgies and prayers. Anyone who attends a Lutheran service, and then attends an Episcopalian service will note that the services are very nearly identical -- quite possibly because they originate with the same source material!

I do think it's a real shame Episcopalians won't join us each December when we experience the Lutheran equivalent of Purgatory (I mean, when we have the annual lutefisk dinner on the Wednesday the week before Christmas). That much pain (I mean, the gustatory pleasure of the experience) really ought to be shared among co-communicants!

[UberLutheran]

Shhh! Don't tell him! It's still a secret -- he hasn't realised it yet! :D


...that *I* might be a closet Anglican? :o

(I really love hymns composed by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Gustav Holst!)

[pmcleanj]

(I really love hymns composed by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Gustav Holst!)

And you post in purple.

Of course you're an Anglican, you Lutheran sweetie, you. Even rednecklutheran is an Anglican who only thinks he's reverted

[AveMaria]

I do think it's a real shame Episcopalians won't join us each December when we experience the Lutheran equivalent of Purgatory (I mean, when we have the annual lutefisk dinner on the Wednesday the week before Christmas). That much pain (I mean, the gustatory pleasure of the experience) really ought to be shared among co-communicants!

Ok.. ok..remind me this December and I'll come experience some Purgatory. Just so long as no one gets mad if I :sick: !

[OrthoCanuck]

There is only one Church; the Body of Christ which is the Whole Company of All Faithful People. We become members of that one Church by the sacrament of Baptism. The Church is characterized by a sacerdotal priesthood which is inherited by all believers -- we all share in Christ's eternal priesthood -- and by a clerical priesthood comprising three orders: Bishops, Priests and Deacons.

If I knew of another denomination besides the Anglican denomination that truly held these beliefs, then that denomination would be interchangeable with ours, and indeed we would be inexorably called into communion with that denomination.

The Roman Catholic church is not such a denomination. They hold that the Body comprises only those people who are in submission to Rome, not the Whole Company of All Faithful People. They hold that hierarchical differences exist between Bishops, culminating in the authority of the Bishop of Rome. These are false doctrines that cause division in the Body of Christ. In particular, clerical hierarchicalism fosters power politics and compromise with secular politics, as can be seen throughout the history of that church, and from which the (anglican) Church is able to stand aside. Many secondary differences also flow from this authoritarian hierarchy: absolute statements on women's orders, birth control, liturgical flexibility and ecumenical relations, which rob Roman Catholics of the freedom and personal responsibility that the Church enjoys in Christ.

The Eastern Orthodox church comes close to the norms I have described, but in practicing closed communion they too effectively divide the Body. Lutherans, at least those from the Swedish heritage that preserved the historic episcopate, and those who have restored the historic episcopate, come very close indeed, and unsurprisingly we are inexorably called into communion with them.



Great answer. I get what you are saying and I agree with what you've said above. The fact that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church in Canada are in a formal communion together made things easy for my mum when I had my children baptized at the Lutheran church instead of an Anglican one (I became good friends with the Lutheran pastor).

My mother doesn't think the Anglican church is THE CHURCH or anything, but she thinks coming from an Anglican heritage that we should have had the kids attend an Anglican church...she was pleased that my wife and I were married in an Anglican church though.;) The only church she has a grudge against is the RCC. She only had me baptized in the RCC because of pressure from my father's side of the family. :sigh:

Though she'd be tickled pink for me and my family to finally return to the Anglican church, I still have a lot of praying to do.:prayer: I've been praying for almost two years straight for some divine inspiration. I'm sure He will answer me in time in His own way.

I've always felt I was too protestant to be a (Roman) Catholic and too catholic to be a protestant. Maybe the Anglican church is where I'm called to be...then again, I could end up becoming Baptist.;)

There have been some excellent responses on this thread, thanks.

Peace.

[Father Rick]

:D

Yes, that would be the Old Catholic Church. And although we don't have formal documents of intercommunion with them, the de-facto intercommunion is evident.

And they are *also* just Anglicans who haven't realised it yet -- but I hold that opinion about all duly baptized Christians -- Canadian75 and even our faithful ps139 included!
Bonn Agreement-- ratified in 1931 is official intercommunion...

My answer is "the most important reason for being Anglican is because you can't find an Old Catholic parish near you!":P

[PaladinValer]

:D Father Rick :D

Actually, if there wasn't an Episcopal Church parish around if I visited an area, I'd definitely go to a Old Catholic Church parish if one were around :)

[UberLutheran]

Ok.. ok..remind me this December and I'll come experience some Purgatory. Just so long as no one gets mad if I :sick: !

Afterwards, almost ALL of us (except the diehard Scandinavians) :sick: !

[masuwerte]

about being an Anglican for you? Why are you an Anglican rather than ____? I'm curious. My mom's an Anglican and that is the way I was raised. I'm currently RC, but I am considering returning to the Anglican church. But I would like to know what you like about the church and why you chose it (or chose to stay in it).

Thanks. Peace.

I like the inclusiveness and tolerance I find in the Episcopal Church. I also like the liturgy and hymns. I don't agree with everything my church does, and they don't require me to agree with everything. Plus, I was born there :).

[gtsecc]

Did anyone mention the chanting yet? I dunno if the RCC have anything liek our chants? Do they?

[pmcleanj]

Did anyone mention the chanting yet? I dunno if the RCC have anything liek our chants? Do they?
They have Gregorian chant, though the typical suburban parish hardly ever hears it. But they have nothing like our Anglican chant, and even English Plainchant is quite different.

But on the third hand, how many Anglican parishes actually chant nowadays as part of their regular services? And of those that do, how many use the traditional chants instead of one of the rediscovered Russian or borrowed Gregorian or modern chant-tunes? (yearns quietly for the Morning Prayer services of her youth)

[gitlance]

They have Gregorian chant, though the typical suburban parish hardly ever hears it. But they have nothing like our Anglican chant, and even English Plainchant is quite different.

But on the third hand, how many Anglican parishes actually chant nowadays as part of their regular services? And of those that do, how many use the traditional chants instead of one of the rediscovered Russian or borrowed Gregorian or modern chant-tunes? (yearns quietly for the Morning Prayer services of her youth)

My home parish regularly uses Anglican plainchant. In fact, I sing in the choir with them, so I'm quite fluent in it. As a little-known secret, I chant morning and evening prayer myself. :)

[gtsecc]

But on the third hand, how many Anglican parishes actually chant nowadays as part of their regular services? And of those that do, how many use the traditional chants instead of one of the rediscovered Russian or borrowed Gregorian or modern chant-tunes?

We open by chanting the Psalm.
Then later there is a responsive chant.
I am not sure if they are gregorian or russian or plain or what.
Nor do I have nayway of figuring it out, I suppose.

[gtsecc]

My home parish regularly uses Anglican plainchant. In fact, I sing in the choir with them, so I'm quite fluent in it. As a little-known secret, I chant morning and evening prayer myself. :)
That is my home home parish also.
My current parish uses a slightly different chant.
But, where Gitlance goes, the Choir master uses a single bell to set the note.
The whole thing is breath taking.