Anglo-Catholic societies

Anglo-Catholic societies, also known as Catholic societies, are associations within the Anglican Communion which follow in the tradition of Anglo-Catholicism. They may be devotional or theological in nature. Many trace their origins to the Catholic revival in the Church of England which started with the Oxford Movement in the 19th century.

Although some make specific reference to the Church of England in their foundation documents, the vast majority extend their membership and influence to adherents of all member churches of the wider Anglican Communion, and often also to those non-Anglican churches that are in full communion with the See of Canterbury (for example, to the Lutheran Churches through the Porvoo Communion).

Origins
The various societies were founded for many different reasons. Some have specific focuses, such as an emphasis on Mariology, or on liturgical questions (including the Blessed Sacrament), supporting vocations amongst those who share Anglo-Catholic ideology, promoting study, encouraging devotion, or promoting pilgrimage to different sacred sites (especially those associated with Our Lady of Walsingham).

In the nineteenth century, many of the older societies had a role in supporting both clergy and laity who found their Anglo-Catholic practices or beliefs challenged through the civil courts by protestant organisations, as part of the then current disagreement concerning ritualism in the Church of England. Those prosecuted ranged from relatively unknown parochial clergy (such as Fr Arthur Tooth) to prominent leading churchmen of the day (such as Bishop Edward King). The Church Union is an example of a society founded to provide legal and moral support to those Anglo-Catholics persecuted for their beliefs. Today these organisations have assumed different objectives.

Divisions
The issues of the ordination of women and of same-sex marriage have caused disagreement amongst Anglicans, including those of the Anglo-Catholic tradition, and these differences of opinion have had repercussions for the Catholic societies.

Some societies have declared that their membership is open only to male priests, or those opposed to the ordination of women. Other societies have been founded specifically to cater for those who are open to, or support, women's ordination. Some, such as the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, have publicly declared that they are open to membership from those opposed to or in favour of women's ordination, but for the sake of internal unity will only permit male priests to hold office in the society, or to preside at the society's meetings and liturgies. Likewise, some societies have publicly opposed same-sex marriage, while others are expressly LGBTQ+-affirming.

An umbrella organisation entitled Catholic Societies of the Church of England has been founded to unite those societies which oppose the ordination of women.

Current societies
The catholic societies in this table are currently active in the life of the Church of England, and (in most cases) other Anglican provinces.

Former societies
The catholic societies in this table are no longer active.