Anglicanism is a tradition of Christianity that emerged in England in the 16th century, when the Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church. Historically, it belongs to the Protestant Reformation, while retaining many elements of Catholic tradition, particularly bishops, priests and a structured liturgy. Its followers are known as Anglicans.
The word “Anglican” comes from the Latin anglicanus, meaning “English”. It originally referred to the Church of England, but today applies to a family of Churches present on every continent.
The history of Anglicanism is linked to King Henry VIII. In 1534, following a conflict with the pope concerning, among other matters, the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the king secured the passage of the Act of Supremacy, a law recognising him as Supreme Head of the Church of England. This break with Rome, however, was only the first stage in the formation of Anglicanism.
Over the following decades, the English Church gradually adopted several principles of the Protestant Reformation, particularly under the influence of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. During the reign of Elizabeth I, beginning in 1558, it consolidated its organisation and developed a distinctive religious identity, combining elements of ancient Christian tradition with Reformed theology.
Anglicanism shares with other major Christian traditions the belief in one God, in the Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and in Jesus Christ, regarded as the Son of God, who died and rose again for the salvation of humanity. It recognises the major creeds of early Christianity, particularly the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
The Bible is the fundamental reference for Anglican faith. Its interpretation also draws upon Church tradition and human reason. These three elements — Scripture, tradition and reason — occupy an important place in Anglican theological thought, although they do not carry equal authority.
Anglicans attach particular importance to two sacraments regarded as directly instituted by Jesus Christ: baptism and the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper. They also practise other Christian rites, such as confirmation, marriage, ordination and the anointing of the sick.
Anglican worship is characterised by a liturgy that may resemble that of Catholicism. The Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549, has profoundly shaped this tradition. It brings together prayers and texts intended for religious services. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, established in the 16th century, constitute another important historical reference.
Anglicanism encompasses several theological traditions. Anglo-Catholics attach great importance to the sacraments, ceremonies and continuity with the traditions of the early Church. Evangelical Anglicans place greater emphasis on the Bible, preaching and personal faith. Other currents favour a more liberal theological approach. These differences explain the diversity of practices and interpretations within the tradition.
The Anglican Church structure is based on bishops, but it has no central authority comparable to that of the pope in the Catholic Church. The Anglican Communion brings together autonomous Churches linked by a common history, faith and traditions. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in England, plays an important symbolic and institutional role in their unity, without exercising governing authority over all member Churches.
This autonomy explains certain differences between Anglican Churches, particularly regarding the ordination of women and the recognition of same-sex couples. Some have adopted practices that others reject, leading to disagreements and internal tensions.
According to figures from the Anglican Communion, it currently brings together 42 autonomous Churches, present in more than 165 countries, with an estimated total of approximately 90 million members. These figures remain approximate, as counting methods vary between Churches. Anglicanism is particularly well established in sub-Saharan Africa, but also in Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania.
In the United States, Anglicans are notably represented by the Episcopal Church. In France, several Anglican communities are present, particularly within the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe and American Episcopal congregations.
Anglicanism thus constitutes a distinctive Christian tradition, heir to both the Reformation and the early Church, whose unity rests more on a shared history, liturgy and beliefs than on a centralised religious authority.