anglikán

Anglikán, or Anglican, is a term used for adherents of Anglicanism, a Christian tradition that began in the Church of England and includes a global family of churches known as the Anglican Communion. The movement emerged during the English Reformation in the 16th century, separating from the authority of the Roman pope while preserving many Catholic forms of worship and church life. The phrase via media describes its self-understanding as a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Reformed churches.

In doctrine, Anglicanism emphasizes the use of Scripture, tradition, and reason as sources of authority, often summarized as a three-legged stool. The most widely celebrated sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist; other rites, including ordination and confirmation, hold significant importance. Anglican worship is liturgical and typically follows the Book of Common Prayer or its successors, though practices vary by province.

Governance is episcopal: bishops oversee dioceses within autonomous national churches. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion but is not a centralized sovereign authority; provinces are autonomous and collectively form the communion. National churches—such as the Church of England, the Episcopal Church (USA), and the Anglican Church of Canada—exhibit a range of liturgical styles from high church to low church.

Globally, the Anglican Communion includes dozens of member churches across six continents and engages in ecumenical dialogue with other Christian traditions. Contemporary issues within Anglicanism include debates over gender and sexuality in ministry, as well as efforts toward greater unity with other denominations.