What’s the difference between Episcopalians and Catholics?

There are certain core beliefs that every Christian denomination shares: the Trinity. The divinity of Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection. Some Protestants have little in common with Catholics beyond these and a few other core beliefs, but other denominations seem closely related to Catholicism. The Episcopal Church, for instance, has a lot in common with the Catholic Church, in terms of belief and liturgical practice. Both denominations have priests and bishops, and both recognize the sacraments. So what distinguishes the Catholic faith from Episcopal faith? What are the significant differences between these two Christian faith traditions?  On this episode of the podcast, guest Bryan Cones discusses the origins of the Episcopal Church, how Episcopal practices differ from Catholic ones, what the two denominations have in common, and how to understand the different traditions within the Episcopal Church.   Cones is an Episcopal priest and the pastor at Trinity Episcopal Church in Highland Park, Illinois. He has a doctorate in liturgy and practical theology from Pilgrim Theological College-University of Divinity in Melbourne, Australia and has published seven books and more than a hundred articles on Christian spirituality. He is also a former managing editor at U.S. Catholic.  You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Cones’ writings, in these links. “How similar are Catholics and Anglicans?” by Bryan Cones https://uscatholic.org/articles/200912/how-similar-are-catholics-and-anglicans/ “A Catholic picks up the Anglican Book of Common Prayer,” by Jeffrey Essmann https://uscatholic.org/articles/201602/a-catholic-picks-up-the-anglican-book-of-common-prayer/ “How I met your Father: Married Episcopalians becoming Catholic priests,” by Katharine Saunders https://uscatholic.org/articles/201207/how-i-met-your-father-married-episcopalians-becoming-catholic-priests/ “A more perfect communion,” by Bryan Cones https://uscatholic.org/articles/200901/a-more-perfect-communion/