church
Question from Anon on 6/14/2008:
Father, what is the differences between the Anglican church and the Catholic church? I thought nobody but the Catholic church believed in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist but I think the Anglican church may also believe. My cousin who was born a Catholic says she goes to her local anglican church in favour of the catholic church because there is much more reverence for the Eucharist, they receive the bread of life on the tongue and kneel to recieve it. I told her only a Catholic priest could consecrate the host but I am now a little unsure and don't know what to say to her. I would like to encourage her to come back to her faith. Please help. thanks.
Answer by Fr. Brighenti on 6/25/2008:
Dear Willie,
The Anglican Church began under the reign of Henry VIII when he claimed himself the head of the Church. However, it was until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I that it became distinctly Protestant. Under her reign Thomas Cramner was the leading liturgist. He took all references to sacrifice out of the consecration prayer. Most of his work is now known as "The Book of Common Prayer." Also, at the time of the English Civil War when the crown was restored and bishops had to be made, the Anglican Church did not seek permission from the Pope. Therefore, there is a break in Apostolic succession.
In the 19th century there was a movement in the Anglican Church to recapture some of its Roman past, such as statuary, vestments, liturgical color, even restoring Confession. This became known as the "Oxford Movement". While it may look Catholic the basic prayers were from the Book of Common Prayer and the priests could not trace their roots back to the Apostles. This is one of the chief reasons why John Newman who was a famous Anglican clergyman converted to Catholicism. He was ordained a priest, bishop and became cardinal in the church.
Today, if an Anglican clergyman choses to become Catholic and wants to be a priest he is still ordained in the Roman Rite. Your friend should seek a Catholic Church which has traditional liturgical practices that she longs for. Now that the Traditional Latin Mass is more commonly celebrated it should not be so hard.
You do bring up a valid point, the greates treasure of the Catholic Church is the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and priests and laity take this great gift for granted.
Sincerely, Fr. Ken
Question from Anon on 6/14/2008:
Father, what is the differences between the Anglican church and the Catholic church? I thought nobody but the Catholic church believed in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist but I think the Anglican church may also believe. My cousin who was born a Catholic says she goes to her local anglican church in favour of the catholic church because there is much more reverence for the Eucharist, they receive the bread of life on the tongue and kneel to recieve it. I told her only a Catholic priest could consecrate the host but I am now a little unsure and don't know what to say to her. I would like to encourage her to come back to her faith. Please help. thanks.
Answer by Fr. Brighenti on 6/25/2008:
Dear Willie,
The Anglican Church began under the reign of Henry VIII when he claimed himself the head of the Church. However, it was until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I that it became distinctly Protestant. Under her reign Thomas Cramner was the leading liturgist. He took all references to sacrifice out of the consecration prayer. Most of his work is now known as "The Book of Common Prayer." Also, at the time of the English Civil War when the crown was restored and bishops had to be made, the Anglican Church did not seek permission from the Pope. Therefore, there is a break in Apostolic succession.
In the 19th century there was a movement in the Anglican Church to recapture some of its Roman past, such as statuary, vestments, liturgical color, even restoring Confession. This became known as the "Oxford Movement". While it may look Catholic the basic prayers were from the Book of Common Prayer and the priests could not trace their roots back to the Apostles. This is one of the chief reasons why John Newman who was a famous Anglican clergyman converted to Catholicism. He was ordained a priest, bishop and became cardinal in the church.
Today, if an Anglican clergyman choses to become Catholic and wants to be a priest he is still ordained in the Roman Rite. Your friend should seek a Catholic Church which has traditional liturgical practices that she longs for. Now that the Traditional Latin Mass is more commonly celebrated it should not be so hard.
You do bring up a valid point, the greates treasure of the Catholic Church is the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and priests and laity take this great gift for granted.
Sincerely, Fr. Ken
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