Overview

As of the end of 2016 there are forty-four constituent member churches of the Anglican Communion throughout the world. Notwithstanding some schismatic 'churches' (largely resulting from disputations in the last forty years), there are more than 85 million practicing Anglicans world-wide, making it the third largest Christian denomination behind Roman Catholicism and the Orthodox churches. The church began its independent (and at that time 'national') character with the break from fealty to the Pope in Rome in 1534, initiated by King Henry VIII. The doctrinal character of the church began as a practical continuation of Roman Catholic Orthopraxy and, early on, a via media (middle path) between Catholicism and emerging Protestant teachings.