anglikánia

Anglikánia is a term sometimes used to refer to the Church of England and its associated churches worldwide, collectively known as the Anglican Communion. This Communion is a global community of churches tracing their roots back to the Church of England. The origins of Anglikánia lie in the English Reformation of the 16th century, when King Henry VIII broke away from the authority of the Pope. This established the monarch as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Over time, through British colonial expansion and missionary efforts, the Anglican Church spread to various parts of the world. These daughter churches, while maintaining a fellowship with the Church of England, developed their own synods, structures, and leadership, often led by their own archbishops or primates. The Archbishop of Canterbury remains the spiritual head of the entire Anglican Communion, though his authority is primarily symbolic and he does not hold direct jurisdiction over churches outside the Church of England.

The Anglican Communion is characterized by a broad range of theological and liturgical practices, often described as a via media, or middle way, between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Key features include the use of the Book of Common Prayer for worship, a three-fold ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons, and a commitment to Scripture, tradition, and reason. While united in core beliefs and practices, individual churches within the Communion have autonomy and can differ on certain social and theological issues. The Lambeth Conference, a meeting of bishops from across the Communion, is convened periodically to discuss matters of common concern and to foster unity.