What would happen to the Church of England?

  • Archbishop of Canterbury leads reform

    Votes: 16 35.6%
  • Schism within the Chruch and creation of several sects

    Votes: 3 6.7%
  • Some parishes rejoin the Cathoilc Church

    Votes: 3 6.7%
  • All of the Above

    Votes: 23 51.1%

  • Total voters
    45
So my current timeline Stars and Stripes Ascendant is based off a trilogy of books with an Ameriwank where the United States successfully invades Britain in 1866 due to a war over the Trent Affair, with the book ending in Britain's capitulation and the forced abdication of Queen Victoria. Under the peace treaty Britain is to be transformed into a Republic named the Federation of Britannia (not in any way connected to my planned Britannia for Lone Star Republic). My question is that in the situation where the British monarchy not only abdicates, but has no other colony or nation who are willing to accept them as heads of state, what happens to the Church of England?

The whole purpose or at least the origins of the Church were so that the Kings of England could rule without religious or social interference from the Roman Catholic Church. While the modern Church has evolved significantly from Henry's rule, in the 19th century it was still a significant part of English society with the monarch being heavily involved. While I presume that the Archbishop of Canterbury would assume full control, how would he be able to justify the continued existence of the Church without the English monarch at its head? Would there be a reformation led by the Archbishop? Would we see an eventual schism? Would some members return to the Catholic Church? What would happen?
 
Like the Russian Orthodox Church is no different than the Greek Orthodox except the patriarch, you will have the same with Anglican church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop of Rome is the head of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican.
 
Like the Russian Orthodox Church is no different than the Greek Orthodox except the patriarch, you will have the same with Anglican church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop of Rome is the head of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican.

Actually this is quite wrong as both the Anglican and Catholic Church's are completely different in doctrine and structure, especially upon the interpratation and implementation of the Gospel. Only a fraction of the English Church both today and in ancient times kept a relatively orthodox adherdance to Catholic practices with most going the lines of Protestant traditions in the veil of Lutheranism. In contrast the Greek and Orthodox churches maintain a vastly similar doctrine and are merely divided by culture and leadership.

So another thing about the scenario guys is that it takes place in the 1860's. If a British Republic arises in this time period does that mean that we'll have the creation of dozens of different churches? Also what would be the chances of some rejoining the Catholic Church despite the historical bias? I think that Cardinal Henry Edward Manning would help to lead to settle differences with the Conservative Anglicans and try to welcome them back into the fold. Also for story purposes I may have Manning become the Pope sometime in the near future, would more English be willing to convert to Catholicism if there was an English Pope?
 
In your scenario, the much more pressing question appears to be . What happens to the Empire?
That is likely to determine any religious questions, too.

Difficult to say what would happen without knowing that. If something like that would happen today, I would assume that the Church of England would simply reconstitute itself, without much ado, and maybe there`d be a state treaty with the republican government sorting out many practical issues. But in the 1860s, a lot would still depend on the general political climate, and that is bound to be determined by the question of empire.
 
Something we haven't considered.
Is this abolition of the monarchy a Czar Nicholas style execution of the monarch or is it more like more like Kaiser Willhelm with the monarch just being kicked out of Britain?
Because if it's the latter the former monarch may try to continue their role in the Church of England.
 
A simple disestablishment of the Anglican Church from the state. Canterbury assumes the titular headship and all continues as normal.
 
IDK, but from what I can tell...

The high church splits between returning to the bosom of the Holy Mother Church and adhering to the Archbishop of Canterbury's lead, while the low church splinters?
 
You've probably chosen one of the most interesting periods for the Church of England to be disestablished. Muscular Evangelical Anglicanism is on the rise post-Crimera while the Oxford Movement is really starting to transform into the Anglo-Catholicism we know today. All the while you have the rise of biblical criticism which will lead to an increasing number of liberal clergy (and congregations).

My gut feeling would be that if this was not a genuine British Revolution then the Church of England would be a focus of resistance with its wide influence over a large portion of society. Another question you need to answer is if the Church does get disestablished what happens to the church buildings and land?
 
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