Expert: John L. White - 12/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Is there a distinction between sins?  In the RCC not attending weekly services and services on holy days of obligation is considered a mortal sin and one needs to go to reconciliation before receiving the eucharist after missing these services.  Are there strict rules during lent regarding fasting and abstinence?

ANSWER: What is sin?  It is the intentional separation from God, through action or intentions.  The Episcopal Church generally does not emphasize a distinction between mortal and venial sin, although anyone would tell you that some sins are more serious than others.  An unintentional or unavoidable absence from worship services is not necessarily a sin.  The sacrament of reconciliation is available for anyone who feels the need of it, but it is not a necessity for receiving the Eucharist.  The often-quoted saying in the Episcopal Church about oral confession to a priest is that "all may, some should, none must."  And Lenten observances are strongly encouraged, but again, no one would be denied the Sacrament at Easter if he/she did not follow a regimen of abstinence during Lent.  Worship in church, both regularly and on Holy Days, is our duty and our privilege as Christian.  Worship should be our joy as well as an obligation.  I don't think that guilt is the best way to encourage observance, and thankfully, the Episcopal Church does not emphasize guilt, either.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for your response. Could you briefly explain the fundamental differences between Roman Catholic and Episcopal beliefs.

Answer
In terms of theological viewpoint, there is the question of the nature of the Eucharist, transubstantiation vs. real presence.  Other differences that I am aware of is the nature of the Blessed Mother, Mary; the question of whether Mary was a perpetual Virgin (she had no other natural children), and the Assumption.  Also, we have different views on the role of the Saints in the life of the church and what degree of veneration they should be accorded.  No doubt there are other theological differences that are significant, but I am not a theologian and could not enumerate them offhand.  In terms of church polity, authority is a stumbling block, specifically the authority of the Pope.  The Episcopal Church does not have an official policy or polity that would coincide with the RC concept of magisterium.  A good place to go for another perspective on the differences and similarities would be Anglicans Online, www.anglicanonsonline.org, specifically the "what we believe" or "our beliefs" heading, I forget what it is called.  But that site has a lot of accessible material on Episcopalians and Anglicans.