What are the differences between the Catholic and Protestant faiths ?

The focus of the Catholic service IS Mass which is the consumption of the communion bread which is the "literal" blood and body of Christ. Protestants don't offer Communion at every service, they believe that Communion (called Eucharist or the Lord's Supper) is a symbol of Christ's body and blood. Communion in some cases can be taken by Children in Protestant churches, wereas the Catholic Church requires individuals to complete "Holy Communion".

Salvation - Catholics; Work and Grace. Protesants; grace.

Baptism - depends on the church. It varies by emerson and sprinkling (type) and age. Some churches see Baptism as essential to salvation.

Heaven - Catholics believe in Purgatory.

Apostles Creed - some Catholic and Protestant churches (Anglican) recite this:

"I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

Most Protestant churches accept the Nicene Creed and have an alternative interpretation of this to the Roman Catholic church.

Sunday School - Catholics generally educate their children at religious services in school.

Marriage is once, divorce generally does not happen, priests are celibate and only men - Catholic church.

Church interiors vary.

Some Protestant churches only sign Psalms instead of Hymns. I don't know why this is.

So, that's a bit of information on how they vary. There are a lot of subtle differences below the surface.. It is difficult to summarise the Protestant religions because they differ so much and some are more similar to the Catholic church than their counterparts.

/r/northernireland Thread