[jo kus]

I'd also separate Catholic from catholic -- Eastern Orthodox ARE part of the Apostolic Church and so were many Anglican Churches. Political dissent does not validate a church being considered completely separate, but complete 180 degree differences in theology, DO, as in the case of Calvinistic beliefs versus Church beliefs

While I agree that the Eastern Orthodox are an apostolic church, I do not think that the Anglican are considered apostolic - since they broke from apostolic succession when Henry 8 made himself the visible ruler of the Church over the Pope. Anglican orders are not accepted by the Catholic Church, as far as I know. Thus, I believe the political dissent CAN be considered a means of breaking from apostolicity. It would be interesting to discuss why Anglican orders are not valid, while Orthodox are - considering they both broke from Rome. Perhaps it is because no Orthodox has usurped the Pope's position... Regards

[bornacatholic]

You are right, brother. Only ones which have preserved Apostolic Sucession and the Eucharist are Churches. Of course, that includes the Orthodox. All the other Christians are really members of communities of believers. They are not members of a Church, properly speaking

[Cronos]

It would be interesting to discuss why Anglican orders are not valid,

I don't know about this -- I thought they WERE considered valid by the Vatican until recently (when the Anglicans started having women priests).