In the nineteenth century, many of the older societies had a role in supporting both clergy and laity who found their Anglo-Catholic practices or beliefs challenged through the civil courts by protestant organisations, as part of the then current disagreement concerning ritualism in the Church of England.
Those prosecuted ranged from relatively unknown parochial clergy (such as Fr Arthur Tooth) to prominent leading churchmen of the day (such as Bishop Edward King).
The Church Union is an example of a society founded to provide legal and moral support to those Anglo-Catholics persecuted for their beliefs.
The issues of the ordination of women and of same-sex marriage have caused disagreement amongst Anglicans, including those of the Anglo-Catholic tradition, and these differences of opinion have had repercussions for the Catholic societies.
[2] The catholic societies in this table are currently active in the life of the Church of England, and (in most cases) other Anglican provinces.