Book of Common Prayer, 1662

The 1662 version is still technically the authorized version of the Book of Common Prayer for the Church of England. Hearkening back to its early history, the Church of England is still linked with the British state in a way in which most Anglican Provinces are not; the revision of the Book of Common Prayer requires not only ecclesial action, but an act of Parliament. The 1662 version has become something of a &quot;historical national document,&quot; and an official replacement of it today would be analagous to replacing a historical building with an &quot;improved&quot; modern structure.

The Book of Alternative Services of the Church of England provided contemporary alternative rites for use in the Church of England under temporary authorization from 1980 to 2000.

In 2000, Common Worship was authorized, and is the current book of contemporary rites used in the Church of England.