Bishopal Church

The Episcopal Church is prominent in several nations throughout Terra, and as such must rank as one of the larger Christian groupings in the world. Although Episcopal Churches have some prominence in Alduria, Dorvik, Kalistan and Luthori, as well as a presence in numerous other nations, the Episcopal Church has little international infrastructure, other than infrequent meetings between heads of the various national Churches, some co-ordination in terms of charity and missionary work, and a thriving network of intellectual cooperation. Roughly 270 million Terrans belong to an Episcopalian Church.

Doctrine
Rather than theological disagreement, the origin of Episcopalianism was based on questions of jurisdiction - namely, the belief that national churches should be autonomous. The effort to create a national church in continuity with its traditions, but inclusive of the doctrinal and liturgical insights of the Reformation was joined by a real concern to make the institution as hospitable as possible to people of different theological inclinations, so as to maintain social peace and cohesion. The result has been a movement with a distinctive self-image among Christian movements. The question often arises whether the Episcopal Communion should be identified as a Protestant or Catholic church, or perhaps a distinct branch of Christianity altogether.

High Church - Low Church
Episcopalians are broadly speaking split into two categories, High Church and Low Church. High Church Episcopalians tend to be closer to Catholicism in doctrine, favouring ritualism and traditional liturgy. Low Church Episcopalians are reformed in character and are clearly Protestant. Although the Episcopalian faith is regarded as a Reformed faith, it has been known for its ‘Via Medi’ approach, seeking the middle ground. Generally speaking in most Episcopalian Churches a ‘Broad Church’ movement governs, uniting the two wings of Episcopalianism and ensuring that national Churches remain unified.

National Churches
Those listed below are prominent Episcopal Churches across Terra with at least five million members. This National Churches encompass a variety of Episcopal viewpoints, the Church of Luthori being prominent in having a strong High and Low Church sections, whereas the Christian Holiness Church is prominently Low Church, as it has rejected both Bishops and ritualism.

Church of Luthori
Created as a compromise in 2132 between Protestant and Catholic Churches in Luthori, coming together to form the Church of Luthori. The majority of the Christian population of Luthori belongs to this Church, giving it an estimated membership of 65 million. Headed by the Archbishop of Olapo.

Dorvik Episcopal Church
Roughly 80% of the Dorvik population is Protestant, with s slight majority of these being nominally Episcopalian, giving a nominal membership of 37 million

Episcopal Church of Kalistan
Initially the sole Episcopal Church in Kalistan, the ECK has recently experienced a split with Low Church elements following a liberation theology set of beliefs, forming the Reformed Kalistani Church. Nominal membership of the Episcopal Church stands at 34 milliom (41%) of the total population. Led by the Archbishop of Kaliburg.

Church of Alduria
Formed as a break from the Terran Catholic Church, the Church of Alduria retains a strongly Low Church outlook. However a strong degree of ritualism remains, and High Church sections are notoriously politicised, supporting monarchist elements in the nation. Roughly one third of the population are nominal members, giving a membership of 33 million.

Reformed Kalistani Church
Formed in Kalistan after Low Church elements of the Episcopal Church broke away. Nominal membership stands at 24 million (29%) of the total Kalistani population.

Church of Hobrazia
With its proximity to Luthori, the Church of Hobrazia has been heavily influenced by developments within Luthori, including its Church compromise. Most Hobrazian Christians are members of the C of H (21%) given a nominal membership of 18 million.

Pontesi Episcopal Church
The largest Episcopal Church in Majatra, the Pontesi Episcopal Church accounts for Episcopalians in Pontesi, Beitenyu and Barmenistan, with roughly 15 million members in all three states, mostly in Pontesi proper.

Reformed Episcopal Church of Egelion
A union of what was initially three Episcopal Churches in Egelion, the Reformed Church takes a Broad Chuch line, and has a nominal membership of 12 million.

Christian Holiness Church
Initially a part of the Episcopal Church of Kalistan, the CHC forms perhaps the most Protestant of all the national Episcopalian Churches, choosing to reject Bishops and ritualism. Nominally 12% of Valruzians claim membership, giving a figure of 10 million Episcopalians in Valruzia.

Episcopal Church of Gishoto
Formed by missionaries from the Episcopal Church of Kalistan in the early 2200’s. They were able to make some inroads into the largely Lutheran population nearly six million Gishoton’s are nominally Episcopalian.

Episcopal Church of Kirlawa
Perhaps the single largest Protestant Church in Kirlawa. 21% of Kirlawans regards themselves as Protestants, and 4% describe themselves as members of the Episcopal Church, bringing nominal membership to five million. Heavily influenced by the Dorvik Episcopal Church, indeed in some parts of Kirlawa the DEC is responsible for maintaining certain episcopal parishes.

Other
Most nations in Terra have a small Episcopalian Church, whether because of history, immigration or foreign embassy staff. The above list accounts for 259 of the estimated 270 million Episcopalians in Terra.