The ordination of women was the first big issue to split the American Episcopal Church (revision of the prayer book and refusal to convict a couple of bishops of heresy were the other main ones). It has also created problems in England.
The traditional/orthodox view in the Anglican church is identical to the Catholic view, and for the same reasons. The Anglican church traditionally has held itself to be in the Apostolic Succession and part of the Catholic Church. Although Catholics disagreed (see Apostolicae Curae, this remains the orthodox position.
Commentary on the ACC by The Most Reverend M. Dean Stephens, Archbishop Ordinary of the Diocese of New Orleans and Metropolitan of the Anglican Catholic Church. This article is reprinted from the February, 1998 edition of The Trinitarian, the newspaper of the Anglican Catholic Church.
Let me review briefly with you what the Anglican Catholic Church believes.
We believe in the One, Holy, Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, and that most holy name is Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth. We believe that only through Him is the full revelation of God given to man and that we have the awesome responsibility to preach the Good News of salvation to all nations and tongues.
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the authentic record of God's revelation to man and is a revelation valid for all men and all time. In the Bible we have God's revelation of Himself, His saving activity, and moral demands. We believe that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works [II Tim. 3:16].
We believe the Catholic Faith as set forth in the three recognized Creeds of Christendom, namely the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed and that known as the Creed of St. Athanasius. We receive and believe them in the sense they have had always in the Catholic Church.
We believe in the holy Tradition of the Church as set forth by the ancient catholic bishops and doctors, and especially as defined by the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church.
We hold dear the seven Sacraments of Grace, namely, the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, Penance, and Unction of the Sick. We believe them to be objective signs of Christ's continued presence and saving activity among us. We believe in the holy sacrifice of the Mass and that the body and blood of Christ is truly and really present in the Holy Eucharist.
We believe in God's gift of the apostolic ministry to His Church, asserting the necessity of a bishop in apostolic succession (or a priest ordained by such) as the celebrant of the Eucharist.
Furthermore, we hold that the Holy Orders of Bishops, Priests and Deacons consist exclusively of men in accordance with Christ's Will and institution.
We believe in the sanctity of human life, that life begins at the moment of conception and that the willful taking of that life in the womb by abortion to be a grave sin [Title XV, Canon I, 1.01 of the Canons of the Anglican Catholic Church].
We believe in the family, in the God-given sacramental bond in marriage between one man and one woman. We profess that sexual activity is to be practiced only within the bonds of Holy Matrimony.
We believe that man is very far gone from original righteousness, is in rebellion against God's authority and is liable to His righteous judgment. We believe that all people, individually and collectively, are responsible to their Creator for their acts, motives, thoughts and words, since we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
We believe it is the duty of the Church and her members to bear witness to Christian Morality, to follow it in their lives, and to reject the false standards of the world.
Lastly, the Anglican Catholic Church acknowledges that rule of faith laid down by St. Vincent of Lerins: Let us hold that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all, for that is truly and properly Catholic.
The Bishops of this Church are committed to seeing that the Faith of Christ is kept entire as it was given to this Church. Any assertion to the contrary has no basis in fact. We call upon all the communicants of this church to believe without reservation that deposit of Faith that has been given to the Anglican Catholic Church and to Earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints [Jude 3]