Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A Christian church that maintains the historic episcopate (a system of church government by bishops): Specifically refers to churches that are part of the Anglican Communion or share its traditions and governance structure, characterized by having bishops in the apostolic succession.

Usage and Examples

• Proper noun:
  • She was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. (This specifies her membership in a particular denomination, specifically the Anglican church in the United States.)
  • The Episcopal Church voted on the new measure at its general convention. (This refers to the autonomous governing body of that denomination taking an action.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often capitalized when referring to a specific national church, such as "the Episcopal Church" (in the United States) or "the Scottish Episcopal Church," distinguishing it from a general "episcopal church" (any church governed by bishops).
  • He is a bishop in the Episcopal Church, not the Roman Catholic Church.
• Used to describe the polity (form of governance) of a church.
  • Anglicanism is an episcopal church tradition.

Variants and Related Words

• Episcopalian (noun/adjective): A member or pertaining to the Episcopal Church.
  • She is an Episcopalian.
• Episcopacy (noun): Government of a church by bishops; the episcopal system.
• episcopal (adjective, lowercase): Of or relating to a bishop or bishops.
  • The episcopal consecration was held in the cathedral.

Synonyms

• Anglican Church: Especially when referring to its global communion.
• Protestant Episcopal Church: A former name, sometimes used historically.

Notes on Different Meanings

• Lowercase "episcopal church": Can generically describe any Christian church that has a bishop-led structure (e.g., Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, some Lutheran churches).
• Capitalized "Episcopal Church": Almost always refers specifically to the autonomous province of the Anglican Communion in a given country, most notably The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States. The reference context specifies the Scottish branch.

Noun

1. United States church that is in communication with the see of Canterbury
2. an autonomous branch of the Anglican Communion in Scotland