Apostolic succession and the Episcopalians.

[Gerontius]

Hello folks.

Could some of you out there be so kind as to give me a good explanation for how the Episcopalians/Anglicans have apostolic succession?
There is a local Episcopalian church in town that I attempted to "infiltrate," sitting in and observing a service one Sunday, and apparently that didn't work too well because they're the very friendly welcoming type. I do not like being noticed but got noticed anyway which led to a lot of hi-how-are-you kind of conversations. Nice people. Interesting take on Christianity. Confusing to my Roman Catholic background, because it was deeply rooted in Catholic tradition but the priest is a woman and they are tough on social responsibility stuff the way Catholics aren't. The craziest part was, they claim to be a Catholic church not in the Roman sense but in the takes-after-Jesus-Christ sense.

(I do not speak theologian very well. Sorry.)

If I had been born without a denomination I would've joined the Episcopalians one way or another.
Yet, as a Catholic, I cannot join without fearing I've put myself at risk, and intellectually I need satisfaction about their claims anyway because it feels like being an anthropologist finding a lost pocket of ancient customs without explanation. Here, right in my own backyard, people claiming to be the same kind of Christian I am but practicing it in a very different manner, now if that don't spark your curiosity what will.

Help a brother out?

 

[Alexej]

HI @Gerontius

Good question, and not one I have considered before.
Here is an off the cuff answer, but there may be a more detailed one possible too.


For the sake of this discussion I am regarding the Church of England as the same as the Episcopal church.

The Chuch of England opted out from Rome at the time of "good" King Henry VIII.
Apostolic succession was maintained to that point through their Catholic line.
When the Bishops moved allegiance their line of succession was not broken.
Since then the line of succession has been maintained in that you need bishops to consecrate other bishops, so the line is maintained through that practice.

Maybe this is too simplistic, but it is a first stab.

 

[Rachie]

Gerontius I myself was baptised as Catholic as a child in primary school. I schooled in Catholic schools to 19. There is nothing in Catholicism I do not disagree with, but I just prefer to pray to God directly myself. I am a non demontional today wish means I can worship in any place of worship of my self so choosing. I attend an Anglican church which is Episcopalian pretty much and I live in the UK. Where I live we have an overarching Archbishop over the Anglican church and how they are elected they are voted in and you can see how this method is done in the link below.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/how-is-a-new-archbishop-of-canterbury-chosen/

If you are after a more quiet service at an Anglican church going to an early service say on the Sunday for communion at 8 am not many want to talk and the service is usually small and silent. If you attend a family one sit and pick a quiet spot. Some people may want to speak a bit being the first time or so.

Whatever you want you can do it.

I still attend Catholic mass here and there and and I have been to different places of worship in my journey as well.

I would say as well if you have a question look at the email of where you went and send them an email directly as well.

 

[tree]

Apostolic Succession
from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church