Is Anglicanism Reformed Catholic?

In Anglican circles, one sometimes hears or reads that Anglicanism is "reformed catholic."  That is an interesting phrase, and with qualifications, most Anglicans over the centuries might accept the description. However, there have been great differences in the understanding of and application of the term "reformed catholic." Sometimes, Anglicans have not had clear concepts of either reformed or catholic. 

For some Protestant-minded Anglicans, reformed has meant Reformed in a "Swiss" sense.  In other words, they do not see a great theological distinction between the English Reformation and reformers such as Zwingli, Bullinger, or Calvin. Of course, such reformers often had influence in English church history. Nevertheless, the Anglican Church never officially accepted many of their ideas or practices. The CofE attempted to be more moderate and maintain its ties with universal Christian faith and practice.

For some catholic-minded Anglicans, Catholic has meant accepting a medieval Thomism, a Tridentine definition, or a Vatican II theology. While catholic Anglicanism shares many points with those traditions, Anglicans still disagree with their formulations and practices on significant points. The most notable disagreements center around the role and authority of the Bishop of Rome. The Anglican tradition does not accept papal claims or papal theological definitions from the Middle Ages, Trent, Vatican I, or Vatican II. Extreme views of the papal authority are not compatible with the historic tendencies of the Anglican tradition.

In contrast to the extremes mentioned above,  a better understanding of the term "reformed catholic" has existed among many Anglicans over five centuries. Anglicans have been "reformed catholic" in the sense of honoring both the best doctrine and practice of the ancient church and certain insights of the Reformation era.  Anglicans have acknowledged that the Medieval and Renaissance Church needed serious reforms, while also affirming the catholic elements of their heritage, especially elements of liturgy and theology received from the Church of the early centuries.  Most Anglicans since 1549 have respected both the ancient Catholic tradition and some insights of the Reformation. Being both catholic and reformed is part of the Anglican heritage, and it continues to be a distinctive part of Anglican Christianity.