Conservative Anglicans Withdraw Rival Archbishop Election Plans
Conservative Anglicans convening in Abuja, Nigeria, have decided against electing a rival "primus inter pares"—a Latin phrase meaning "first among equals" that traditionally refers to the Archbishop of Canterbury's role as the ceremonial leader of the global Anglican Church, currently held by Sarah Mullally.
Electing another individual with the same title would have been widely interpreted as a direct challenge to the leadership of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, just weeks before she is formally installed.
Instead, the group known as Gafcon announced it is moving away from previous structures and titles, unveiling a new leadership council headed by Rwanda's Archbishop Laurent Mbanda.
Journalists expressed some confusion upon hearing the appointments announced on Thursday, with some viewing the move as a continued act of defiance.
When asked repeatedly if Gafcon members still recognized the supreme authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, spokesman Venerable Canon Justin Murff stated:
"The Global Anglican Council recognises Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as its leader."
"Sarah Mullally is the Archbishop of Canterbury."
There are approximately 95 million Anglicans worldwide, with the Archbishop of Canterbury serving as their spiritual figurehead.
Archbishop Mullally is scheduled to be formally installed later this month at a ceremony in Canterbury.
Divisions Over Gender and Doctrine
Her appointment has sparked division in Nigeria and other regions, where many conservative Christians hold the belief that only men should be consecrated as bishops.
At Thursday's press conference, Gafcon emphasized that doctrinal issues, rather than gender or sexuality, underpin their disagreements with the Church of England.
Venerable Canon Murff told reporters:
"The issue is not same-sex marriage, nor is it about the female Archbishop. It is whether scripture or contemporary culture governs the life of this church."
However, he also accused Archbishop Mullally of having:
"repeatedly promoted unbiblical and revisionist teachings regarding marriage and sexual morality,"
due to her support for same-sex unions, a stance Gafcon regards as:
"contrary to Holy Scripture."
Regarding female leadership, he added:
"the majority of the Anglican Communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopalism."
Gafcon's Global Reach and Leadership
Gafcon includes members from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australasia, claiming to represent the majority of the Global South, though this claim is disputed.
While two-thirds of the world's Anglicans reside in Africa, opinions vary, and the continent currently has six female bishops.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda's extensive career spans multiple countries and decades. His background includes a childhood as a refugee in Burundi and years in the United States, where he studied theology and founded a business exporting recycled clothing to African countries.
He authored an autobiography titled From Barefoot to Bishop: A Rwandan Refugee's Journey, which the Church Times website described as a "remarkable" account of his early life.
Historical Context and Current Implications
Thursday's development represents the culmination of decades-long divisions over theological disputes, including issues related to LGBTQ clergy and same-sex blessings, which previously led to a break with Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.
Gafcon was established in 2008 in response to these controversies. It accuses the Church of England of abandoning Biblical teachings in favor of modern cultural trends and imposing these views globally. This contrasts with perspectives that argue the Church has not sufficiently adapted to contemporary societal changes.
A spokesperson for the Anglican Communion Office in London expressed disappointment at Gafcon's decision to bypass:
"the formal and encouraging years-long process of global consultation and discernment about Anglican identity, structures and leadership."
They added:
"We recognise that there's pain and division in the family, but Christ calls his Church to be one."
The Anglican Communion plans to discuss proposals addressing these differences at a conference in Belfast in June.
Gafcon will not participate, as it no longer acknowledges the authority of the Communion. However, another conservative group, the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), remains open to engagement and dialogue regarding the proposals.
The future relationship between Gafcon and the Church of England remains uncertain, as does the impact on the global Anglican community's shared ties.
While Gafcon has refrained from electing a leader to replace the traditional role of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the establishment of a parallel leadership council signifies a deepening rift between the group and the Church of England.
