The Worldwide Anglican Communion

The Anglican Communion is an association of churches that consider themselves in full communion with the Church of England, and specifically, with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion in the world, with approximately 70 to 80 million members after the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Some of these churches are known as Anglican, explicitly recognizing the historical link to England; others, such as the American and Scottish churches call themselves Episcopal, reflecting the structure of the church. Each church has its own doctrine and liturgy, based in most cases on that of the Church of England; and each church has its own legislative process and overall Episcopal polity, under the leadership of a local primate (archbishop or presiding bishop).

The Archbishop of Canterbury, is the religious head of the Church of England but has no formal authority outside that jurisdiction; however, he is recognized as the symbolic head of the worldwide communion. Among the other primates he is primus inter pares, which translates "first among equals".  The Anglican Communion considers itself to be part of the “One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church,” and to be both Catholic and Reformed.


Visit the Official Website of the Anglican Communion