Story perspectives

GAFCON Declares Itself True Anglican Communion, Rejects Canterbury

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

GAFCON has declared itself the true Anglican Communion, rejecting the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury on October 16, 2023.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda outlined eight resolutions, stating the Bible as the sole foundation of communion.
GAFCON will not attend meetings led by Canterbury and mandates member provinces to remove references to it in their constitutions.
This split follows the election of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, which GAFCON leaders oppose.
A conference to celebrate the new Global Anglican Communion is scheduled for March 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.

History

Historical Context

The consecration of Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church in 2003 sparked significant divisions within the Anglican Communion. This event led to the formation of GAFCON by conservative factions, which rejected the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The ongoing tensions reflect historical disputes over doctrine and governance, threatening the unity of the Anglican identity.

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Story summary

GAFCON has declared itself the true Anglican Communion, rejecting the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury on October 16, 2023.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda outlined eight resolutions, stating the Bible as the sole foundation of communion.
GAFCON will not attend meetings led by Canterbury and mandates member provinces to remove references to it in their constitutions.
This split follows the election of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, which GAFCON leaders oppose.
A conference to celebrate the new Global Anglican Communion is scheduled for March 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.

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