What is the difference between Catholic and Anglican?

Catholics and Anglicans share the creeds, Trinitarian Baptism, Scripture, bishops, and many forms of liturgical worship. They remain divided chiefly over the authority of the pope, the nature of the Church, Holy Orders, and several doctrines and moral teachings.

Where the division began. The Church in England was part of the Catholic Church for centuries. In the sixteenth century, King Henry VIII rejected papal authority, and the Church of England separated from Rome. Under later monarchs it adopted significant Protestant doctrines while retaining bishops, vestments, liturgical worship, and other elements of Catholic tradition. Anglicanism later spread worldwide as the Anglican Communion. Because it lacks a single authority comparable to the Catholic Magisterium, Anglican beliefs can range from strongly Protestant to outwardly Catholic.

Authority and unity. Catholics believe Christ gave Peter a unique office of governing and strengthening the whole Church, continued by the bishops of Rome (Mt 16:18-19; Lk 22:31-32; CCC 880-882). Anglicans generally respect the historical importance of the pope but do not accept his universal jurisdiction or papal infallibility. Catholics also hold that Scripture and Sacred Tradition form one deposit of faith interpreted by the Magisterium (CCC 80-87). Anglican approaches to authority commonly appeal to Scripture, tradition, and reason, but there is no worldwide Anglican body able to settle doctrine for every province.

Sacraments and ordained ministry. Both communities baptize infants and celebrate the Eucharist. Catholic doctrine recognizes seven sacraments and teaches that the consecrated bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood (CCC 1113, 1374). Anglican teaching about the Eucharist varies considerably. Some Anglicans profess a strong form of real presence, while others understand Communion more symbolically. The Catholic Church does not recognize Anglican priestly ordinations as valid, following Pope Leo XIII's judgment in Apostolicae Curae. Anglican provinces also differ over ordaining women. The Catholic Church teaches that priestly ordination is reserved to baptized men because the Church lacks authority to change Christ's sacramental institution (CCC 1577).

Doctrine and moral teaching. Catholics hold defined teachings concerning Mary, purgatory, confession, and the communion of saints that some Anglicans accept and others reject. Serious divisions also concern divorce and remarriage, contraception, abortion, and same sex unions. Catholic moral doctrine is meant to be universal, even when individual Catholics fail to live by it. Anglican provinces sometimes teach contradictory positions on these matters.

What Catholics recognize. An Anglican Baptism using water and the Trinitarian formula is ordinarily valid, so an Anglican becoming Catholic is not baptized again (CCC 1271). The Church also recognizes that many elements of sanctification and truth are present among separated Christians (CCC 819). This real Christian bond does not erase the divisions that prevent full communion.

If you are discerning between Anglicanism and Catholicism, focus first on Christ's promises to Peter and the apostles. The central question is where Christ placed binding authority to preserve unity and teach the faith.