Features and Characteristics of Episcopal Religionn - Research Paper Example

EPISCOPAL RELIGION INTRODUCTION The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States is an offspring of the Church of England. The Episcopal Church fulfills the conditions of both Catholic and Protestant beliefs, towards unity, liberty and charity. “It is a Protestant Church in that it both bears witness to the Gospel of God and protests against the Pope’s claims to authority over other Bishops” (Bernardin 15). Linked strongly with the Roman Catholic Church, and with the Orthodox Churches of today, the Episcopal Church has a three-fold ministry of bishops, priests and deacons ordained by bishops who are successors of the Apostles who were overseers of the church (Webber 2). The name “Episcopal” is derived from the Greek episcopos or overseer; it indicates that the Episcopal religion believes that bishops as successors of the apostles are a vital aspect of church governance. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate Episcopal Religion, and to identify its various features and characteristics. DISCUSSION The moral law of the Episcopal religion encompass the same basic principles of Christian teaching, of man being called upon to love God and to love one’s fellow men (Bernardin 63). The Sacraments of the Episcopal Religion portray the visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace. They are outward means of producing spiritual benefit for the one who undertakes the following: Holy Baptism, Holy Penance, Holy Confirmation, Holy Communion, Holy Matrimony, Holy Unction, and Holy Orders. Preaching, Bible reading and hymn singing are also included by some, among the great sacraments of the episcopal church. However, only “Holy Baptism and Holy Communion are officially by the Episcopal Church as Sacraments ordained by Christ” (Bernardin 83) and required for attaining salvation. At the same time, all the other forms of sacrament are mentioned in the Book of Common Prayer without being termed as ‘sacraments’. Anglican practices and rituals are given in the Book of Common Prayer which is a collection of liturgy written by Thomas Cranmer in the sixteenth century. Anglican practice is diverse in many respects, which is true of worship also, with numerous methods being followed around the world, and several Prayer Books being developed (Book of Common Prayer 5). Thus, the Episcopal religion has worship that is Protestant in doctrine, “Catholic in appearance and flavor, with rituals and readings, bishops and priests, vestments and ornately decorated churches” (Webber 25). The Doctrine of the Episcopal Church varies, with some emphasizing more on Protestant, while others on Catholic teachings (Bernardin 48). For the ordination of women, in 1976, the General Convention voted to admit women to priesthood. However, though some Anglican churches accept the practice, others do not include women in this domain (Webber 21). According to Heersink (1999), “the true oracle in the Episcopal Church is the Church itself”. The Church is ontological, existential, its apostolic ministry is divinely instituted. The Episcopal Church The Episcopal Church is an independent part of a larger group known as the Anglican Communion which includes all the Churches. Most of these Churches emerge from the Church of England which are associated with the See of Canterbury, and encompass several provinces and dioceses located throughout the world. Once in ten years the bishops of these churches meet in London at the Lambeth Conference. Members of even the smallest and remotest mission station of the Episcopal Church belong to this huge body and can they use its greater strength; they have a common tradition adapted according to local needs (Bernardin 18). The bishops are considered as leaders and chief pastors, but “their administrative powers are still carefully balanced by elected clergy and lay representatives” (Webber, p.10). As an outcome of the Episcopal Church’s colonial heritage, Episcopal bishops function at an equal level with other church leaders, although their vestments may cause them to look more authoritative. There is a greater concept of hierarchy in other church traditions. This is supported by Benardin (p.16) who states that the Episcopal Church though governed by Bishops is also ruled democratically, with its ultimate authority bestowed on the General Convention which meets every three years. The General Convention, holding the final authority of the Episcopal Church is made up of a House of Bishops and a House of Deputies. Each Diocese is governed by a Diocesan Convention which meets every year, attended by the clergy and some lay delegates of every Parish. Bishops except missionary bishops are chosen by Diocesan Convention. The Constitution of the Episcopal Church was drawn up in 1789, by several of the same persons who contributed to the formulation of the Constitution of the United States. Hence, there are several similarities between the two forms of government. The General Convention and the Congress are similar, both consisting of two houses. The House of Bishops and the House of Deputies of the former correspond to the Senate and the House of Representatives of the latter. Similarly, the “dioceses correspond to the states, the diocesan conventions to the state legislatures, and the bishops to the governors” (Bernardin 16). Further, the Presiding Bishop corresponds to the President of the United States, and the Executive Council is similar to the Cabinet. All the members of the Episcopal Church contribute to its governance, electing its representatives. Parishes governed by rectors form the primary divisions of the Episcopal Church. A parish may have dependent congregations known as chapels, which are presided over by vicars. Groups of parishes are formed into dioceses presided over by bishops. To initiate and supervise the various work of the Episcopal Church there is an Executive Council with a Presiding Bishop as the elected administrative head of the Church. The Executive Council has a vice president, treasurer and secretary, and manages six departments consisting of Overseas, Home, Christian Education, Christian Social Relations, Promotion and Finance. Additionally, there is a General Division of Women’s Work which includes all the women in the church. They may participate in any of the five fields of the Episcopal Church’s service: “the parish, the community, the diocese, the nation, and the world” (Bernardin 17). The term Church refers to the entire body of people who have been made members of Christ through baptism, and are responsible for its welfare. Some of the duties and privileges include supporting the Church through prayer, regular attendance for worship and its services, participation in church activities, commending it to others, and contributing to it according to one’s means. The Christian should remember to pray not only for his Church and all its work, but also for supporting one’s parish, taking into consideration all its aspects (Bernardin 94). There should never be any doubt regarding whether church attendance on Sunday was necessary, this should be taken for granted. Members of the Episcopal Church need to comply with Canon 19 which states that “All persons within this Church shall celebrate and keep the Lord’s Day, commonly called Sunday, by regular participation in the public worship of the Church, by hearing the Word of God read and taught, and by other acts” contributing to the Church’s welfare. The missionary function is an important part of the Episcopal Church. Though cut off from English assistance, and prohibited from using taxes, by 1835 the Episcopal Church was ready not only to maintain itself, but also to launch their missionary activities. The General Convention of 1835 proclaimed the entire church to be a missionary society, sending out missionaries far and wide to new areas such as the west where there were no churches (Manross 325) and to the Midwest, Greece, Far East and Africa. Women’s participation in church activities increased, but from the 1970s, with women working outside the home “the church became less significant as a place to educate children and provide women with a center for volunteer ministry” (Webber 22). Protestants seeking a deeper sense of tradition and worship, and Roman Catholics looking for a church that permitted independent thinking, joined the Episcopal Church. The emphasis on social involvement attracted the inner-city Black Americans and great numbers from the increasing Hispanic population. At the beginning of the twenty-first century the church ministers to a society in which change and diversity are inherent parts. Diversity is reflected in numerous ways such as one diocese having congregations worshipping in fourteen different languages every Sunday. The United States is a rapidly changing country, where Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans are slowly becoming part of mainstream American life; where men and women have equal career opportunities, and discrimination on any basis is increasingly being eliminated. The Episcopal Church adhering to its traditional outlook may find it difficult to minister to contemporary America’s radical new society as part of the world community, in an international neighborhood. However, according to Webber (p.23) “a church without strong traditions is likely to be torn apart by the stress and storm of change”. However, despite the diversity, there is unity in the Episcopal Church on important issues. In all the parishes, the Eucharist is now the main service every week. The ceremonies which form part of the celebration are now more similar among the various churches, than they were a few decades ago. While continuing its social ministry and witness, the Church reveals evidence of a deeper spiritual life centered on worship, prayer and spiritual growth (Webber p.23). The Episcopal Confession of Faith There are 39 Articles of Religion constituting the Episcopal faith. These were established by “the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in Convention, on the twelfth day of September, in the Year of our Lord, 1801” (Believe, 1997). The Articles of Religion encompass the following beliefs: Faith in the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ is the son of God who suffered at the holy Cross for man’s sins. Belief in the Word of God, of the going down of Christ into hell, of the resurrection of Christ, of the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for salvation, that the Old Testament is not contrary to the New since both depict Christ offering everlasting life to Mankind. Further, the Episcopal religion supports belief in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed which are proved by the Holy Scripture, on original or birth sin which needs to be addressed to escape God’s wrath. Similarly, belief is required in free will, justification of man, good works, works before justification, works of supererogation, of Christ alone without sin, on sin after Baptism, of predestination and election, of obtaining eternal salvation only by the name of Christ, of the authority of the Church, of the authority of the General Councils, of Purgatory, ministering in the congregation, speaking in the congregation in a tongue that people can understand, of the Sacraments, of the unworthiness of the ministers that does not affect the Sacraments, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, of the wicked who do not eat of the body of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, no discrimination in ministering to all Christian men alike, the one oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross, the marriage of priests, avoiding of ex-communicated men, the traditions of the Church, the Homilies, the consecration of bishops and ministers, the power of the civil magistrates, Christian men’s goods are not to be considered for common use, and faith in a Christian man’s oath (Believe, 1997). CONCLUSION This paper has highlighted Episcopal Religion and its various aspects. Examined the Episcopal Church as the core of the religion, along with its organization, functions, diversity and unity; and identified the articles of religion constituting the Episcopal faith. The main function of the religion was found to be missionary in nature. The twenty-first century being the third millennium of Christianity, newer and greater challenges are likely to confront the Episcopal Church. However, Webber (p.23) states that as seen in the past, the key supports in the future are likely to remain: an apostolic tradition, freedom of expression, and a willingness to undertake new forms of ministry. WORKS CITED Believe. The Episcopal 39 Articles of Religion. ‘Believe’ Religious Information. (1997). Retrieved on 4th February, 2010 from: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txh/episconf.htm Bernardin, J.B. An introduction to the Episcopal Church. New York: Read Books Publishers. (2007). The Book of Common Prayer. The book of common prayer, and administration of the sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the church, according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America: together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David. New York: W.B. Gilley Publications. (2007). Heersink, D. Stephen. The Episcopalian ‘Religion’. John Mark Ministries. (1999). Retrieved on 5th February, 2010 from: http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/9085.htm Manross, William W. A history of the American Episcopal Church. New York: Read Books Publishers. (2007). Webber, Christopher. Welcome to the Episcopal Church: An introduction to its history, faith, and worship. Pennsylvania: Church Publishing Inc. (1999). Read More