More on the Anglicans |
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The intention was that every Christian in England would be a member of this church and be able to worship in it. England is divided into parishes, each with at least one church, so that everybody has one church they can use. Unlike many protestant churches, but in common with the Roman Catholic church and the Orthodox, Anglicans have Bishops. The parishes are grouped in large areas called dioceses, each with its own Bishop to lead it. A diocese is usually about the size of a county. Most dioceses have one or more extra Bishops who help the leading bishop. |
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Ordination of Clergy (Click to see an enlarged photo in a new window) |
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| The Anglican church is called the established church because it has an important part to play in the political life of England. The Kings and Queens are crowned by Anglican bishops in Westminster Abbey. In turn the Queen is called the head of the Church of England and has a part to play in the appointment of bishops. The church is governed by a "synod", a sort of parliament, and the Queen opens each new synod. The Prime Minister also has a part to play in the appointment of bishops, and in turn, Anglican clergy lead prayers at the start of parliament each day. |  |
The Coronation Chair, Westminster Abbey (Click to see an enlarged photo in a new window) |
| Anglican missionaries from Britain travelled to many parts of the world, whether part of the British empire or not. They founded churches which were Anglican also. The result is that the majority of Anglicans live in Africa and there are many more in the other continents. They form what is known as the "Anglican Communion". Every ten years bishops from all over the world meet together in Britain at what is known as the Lambeth Conference. This is hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but he is not a leader in the same way as a Bishop leads his diocese, or that the Pope leads the Roman Catholic church. |
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