Conservative Anglicans Establish New Council, Challenging Archbishop of Canterbury

On March 5, 2026, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) announced the establishment of the Global Anglican Council, a new governing body aimed at leading the global Anglican Communion. This initiative represents a direct challenge to the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, who is set to be enthroned as the 106th archbishop on March 25, 2026. GAFCON, which unites conservative Anglican churches primarily from Africa and Asia, claims to represent the majority of Anglicans worldwide and opposes liberal trends within the Communion, including the ordination of women and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ members.

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Bishop Paul Donison, the secretary-general of the new council, stated that the existing structures of the Anglican Communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans. The council will include bishops, priests, and lay members, all with voting privileges, and will operate under a conciliar structure rather than a singular leadership model. Rwandan Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was elected as the chair of this council, with the understanding that he would not serve as "primus inter pares" (first among equals) but would share power.

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The Anglican Communion has faced significant internal conflict over the past three decades, particularly regarding reforms that have allowed the ordination of women and the acceptance of same-sex relationships. These changes have led to a growing divide, especially among Anglicans in Africa and Asia, who largely reject the progressive trends seen in Western countries. GAFCON, founded in 2008, aims to counter what its members describe as the abandonment of scriptural authority within the Communion.

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In response to the formation of the Global Anglican Council, a spokesperson for the Anglican Communion Office expressed concern, stating, "It hurts the body of Christ when some churches express a desire to separate, not associate, or otherwise renounce any association with those with whom they disagree." Meanwhile, Mbanda emphasized that GAFCON has not left the Anglican Communion, asserting, "We are the Anglican Communion."

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Critics of GAFCON's initiative argue that the establishment of a separate council undermines the unity of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion has historically been led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the move to create a new governing body is seen by some as a fracturing of the church's global identity. The Church of England's recent reforms, including the appointment of its first female archbishop, have been particularly contentious among conservative factions.

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The newly formed Global Anglican Council is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future direction of the Anglican Communion, particularly as it relates to ongoing debates over theological and social issues. The council's establishment signals a potential reorganization of the Anglican Church, with leaders like Mbanda calling for a rejection of previous instruments of governance that they believe have failed to serve the majority of Anglicans.

Conservative Anglican leaders restructure the global religious body after 400 years

• "Believing the current instruments of communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure." — Bishop Paul Donison, Secretary-General of the Global Anglican Council

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• "The future has arrived, no turning back." — Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, Chairman of the Global Anglican Council

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• "It hurts the body of Christ when some churches express a desire to separate, not associate, or otherwise renounce any association with those with whom they disagree." — Anglican Communion Office Spokesperson

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