What is the difference between Catholic and Presbyterian?

Answer 1

my father was presbytarian, and from what i can gather, they worship in English, not in latin, so therefore were part of the protestant church, and also did not take communion every week, but took wine with it, which was different to the catholics of the time ( i know many catholic churches do now take wine with communion, but im talking about in the 50s in Ireland )

they were a simple religion and did not belive in icons and statues like the catholics, i suppose they are very similar to the church of England. i hope this helps and that what I've said is accurate!

AnswerPresbyterians place more emphasis on sinfulness and that there is nothing an unsaved person can do that is good---this is derived form Calvin and is called the doctrine of "total depravity." Catholics to not feel that the unreedeemed person is quite so bad---essentially good, but deformed by sin.

Answer 2

Here is a try:

Church government: Catholic government is a hierarchy, flowing from the Pope down to the cardinals and the archbishops and the priests.

Presbyterian government is by the local elders. There is a board of elders in each church that makes decisions together for that congregation, even ruling against the pastor if they feel inclined to do so.

Salvation: Catholic teaching is that salvation can be gained and lost and regained again. Most Catholics believe this occurs because of works or the lack thereof. I am not sure what the official line is.

Presbyterians believe in eternal security of the believer. Once you are a Christian, you cannot lose that gift from God by bad works on your part. Presbyterians are of the Calvinist branch of Protestantism.

Worship: Catholic worship services are full of pomp and circumstance, with ornate gilded sanctuaries commonplace, colorful statues of saints here and there, incense censors shaking smoky incense all over everybody and everything, and long colored robes on all participants in the ceremonies.

Presbyterian worship services are much more reserved. Casual would be an overstatement, but maybe business-like would be a good word. Orderly too. The pastor may wear a long black robe or just a business suit. No incense. No statues. No pomp and circumstance.

Marriage and family: Catholic clergy may not marry nor raise a family. Catholic members are not allowed to exercise any type of Birth Control except the rhythm method.

Presbyterians ministers may marry and have a family, and are in fact encouraged to do so. Presbyterian families may practice any type of birth control except abortion. Some liberal branches of Presbyterians may allow abortion too.

That sums up the major differences