Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 6/25/2005

Question
Hello George!

I belong to the Roman Catholic Church. I'm going to England for some time. I know that mostly they are Protestants, however i'm curious what the difference is between the Protestant Church and the Anglican Church. If there are any differences, could you tell me what they are?
Also, as a Catholic which of these two churches would be better for me to go to if i wanted to pray?
Thank you!


Answer
                          Peace

Dear Luke
  The so called Anglican and Protestant Churches, are both not in union with Rome. Yes, I know you know that but its easier to explain when keeping that in mind.
  The term Protestant, today generally refers to any Western Christian body of believers not in union with Rome yet holds the basics of the early Christian creeds.
  Anglican Churches stem from when Henry VII broke from union with Rome. The term: Anglican Communion refers to such sects that a national off shoots of Henry's break. At first the break was schismatic, in time it quickly became heretical. Its "offically" calvinist in doctrinal thought for the most part but there are some very Roman Catholic minded, called Anglo-Catholics.
 Riturally services can be very Catholic in appearance to a very stark Calvinism approach, depending on minister's and/or local bishop's taste."Roman" Catholic do not reconize their priesthood nor its claim to apostolic succession in any manner.
   My suggestion is find a true Catholic church or even a chapel in a Catholic hospital or gather with friends that are also "Roman".  Perhaps doing the Divine Office as you travel, I offen carry a copy when i travel in case stuck somewhere without Mass and/or sacraments.

        your servant but His First
                 george


"Unlimited trust should only be placed in the real Word of the Revelation that we encounter in the faith transmitted by the Church". Pope Benedict XVI