Anglo-Catholics aren't true Roman Catholics. They are part of the Anglican Communion, referred to as Episcopal, in this country. I attended Anglo-Catholic services two months ago. They only accept the services in use when King Henry VIII broke from the Roman Church. Anglo-Catholics acknowledged that King Henry and subsequent monarchs were head of the church and not the pope.
I attended some churches approaching Anglo-Catholic in NY. This church seemed very Catholic. They reject all subsequent prayer books from Henry's son on as being too Puritan. There was a shrine to Mary with candles blazing. I've attended Roman Catholic services and this church seemed the most Catholic in ritual.
My understanding is that Anglo-Catholcisim was vanishing and the Oxford Movement started a revival to acknowledge the Roman Catholic roots of the Anglican church. I love rituals that are similar to Roman Catholicism. This was so different from any other Episcopal church I've attended. I like attending a full spectrum to understand the communion in its entirety. Incense was very thick-which I adore. I plan to go back but it is too Roman for me personally to be a regular church.
Unfortunately, I don't know the doctrine. I suspect they believe in transubstiation. Henry VIII was very Catholic and wrote theological treatises against Luther. He disagreed with the church concerning power in England. Many of his court were Protestants. He executed many but seemed to look the other way when his favorites converted to Protestatnism. His son was raised Protestant from birth.
