Anglicans identify with catholic Christianity, not to be confused with Catholic Christianity. See the difference? The former refers to universal Christianity, affirming what Christians everywhere and always have believed. These beliefs are provided in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The latter, Catholic Christianity, refers specifically to Roman Catholicism. Anglicans identify with universal Christianity, not Roman Catholicism.

While the majority of contemporary Anglicans hold doctrine that is influenced by the Reformed tradition, they were not as quick to dispense with many of the liturgical practices found in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Not desiring to throw out the catholic liturgical baby with the Roman-Catholic doctrinal bathwater, Anglicans have attempted to retain many of these liturgical practices while reforming the doctrines that underlie them. These liturgical practices are provided in The Book of Common Prayer, the first edition of which was compiled and edited by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer himself in 1549.

In line with Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Lutheranism, Anglicans hold to the historic role of bishops in the church. Our church government thus is a hierarchy with bishops and archbishops at the top, priests—or presbyters—beneath them, and deacons beneath priests. We also affirm the importance of apostolic succession in Holy Orders, and we believe that Anglican orders can be traced back all the way to the Lord’s apostles themselves.