Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert John White

---

Marcel Flohr wrote at 2007-02-14 10:06:13
The Anglican faith was founded because Henry the Eighth wanted to get a divorce so he could remarry. But the Pope at that time refused to grant him his wishes. So yes Danny, you are very right. The answers that Brian gave you were self-serving at best.

---

Charles Marks wrote at 2008-02-11 08:12:53
I am sorry to give my 2 cent's worth to the child. As an atheist educated by a communist historian and with no axe to grind on either side, I will tell you the  politically incorrect truth.



The Church of England was without a doubt a part of the Catholic world in Europe until the time of Henry VIII. In fact, Henry's defense of the 7 sacraments and of the supremacy of the pope versus the Protestants earned him the title of Fidei Defensor from Pope Leo X. Obedience to the pope is the main defining characteristic of a person to be rightly called Catholic.



Catherine of Aragon can't provide Henry VIII with a male heir, so the king asked for a divorce/annulment from the pope. The pope said that their marriage was valid and not even he (the pope) can undo a valid marriage. Henry was outraged. In short, he forced Parliament to enact the Act of Supremacy making him (Henry) the Supreme Head of the Church of England. England is now therefore at schism with Rome(broke off from Rome). Henry declared that he and all England was no longer under the jurisdiction of the pope. They ceased to be Catholics and are now technically Protestant even though the outward forms remained Catholic until Edward VI. By the time of Edward VI, changes in the Church of England went to such an extent that apostolic succession and valid sacraments ceased to exist as determined by the Catholic Church in Rome.



There you have it. From an unbiased historical basis, the Church of England aka. Anglican Church was founded by Henry VIII upon the passing/enactment of the Act of Supremacy by the English Parliament on Oct. 30, 1534. Henry VIII was formally excommunicated (the pope basically telling Henry to go to Hell) on Dec. 17, 1538.

---