The Church of England has sister churches in the other countries of the UK and former British colonies.
In the other countries that make up the UK, the Scottish Episcopal Church is the sister church in Scotland. The relationship is one of full communion. The Scottish Episcopal is smaller than the officially designated national church, the Church of Scotland. Its background is convoluted, too, owing to its association with Jacobitism.
As for the Church in Wales, it was previously a part of the Church of England. However in 1920, the Church in Wales was disestablished and joined the Anglican Communion as an independent member.
The Church of Ireland passed through the reformation in the sixteenth century. However, most of the Irish preferred to continue allegiance to Rome. Over succeeding centuries, the Church of Ireland went through many changes in status. In 1800, under the Act of Union (Ireland), it was in fact united with the Church of England. However, this was dissolved in 1871 and the Church of Ireland was disestablished. To this day, the Church of Ireland remains organised on an all-Ireland basis.
Meanwhile in the colonies, the Episcopal Church in the United States became independent of the Church of England following the American War of Independence. Initially, the heads of the Church of England were unable to consecrate bishops who could not proclaim and oath of loyalty to the British crown. This policy was later relaxed.
In the other countries that make up the UK, the Scottish Episcopal Church is the sister church in Scotland. The relationship is one of full communion. The Scottish Episcopal is smaller than the officially designated national church, the Church of Scotland. Its background is convoluted, too, owing to its association with Jacobitism.
As for the Church in Wales, it was previously a part of the Church of England. However in 1920, the Church in Wales was disestablished and joined the Anglican Communion as an independent member.
The Church of Ireland passed through the reformation in the sixteenth century. However, most of the Irish preferred to continue allegiance to Rome. Over succeeding centuries, the Church of Ireland went through many changes in status. In 1800, under the Act of Union (Ireland), it was in fact united with the Church of England. However, this was dissolved in 1871 and the Church of Ireland was disestablished. To this day, the Church of Ireland remains organised on an all-Ireland basis.
Meanwhile in the colonies, the Episcopal Church in the United States became independent of the Church of England following the American War of Independence. Initially, the heads of the Church of England were unable to consecrate bishops who could not proclaim and oath of loyalty to the British crown. This policy was later relaxed.