By Philomina Attah
Global Orthodox Anglican leaders have officially announced a major restructuring of the Anglican Communion, marking a definitive split from the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the UK-based “Instruments of Communion”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the move is the climax of long-standing disagreements over doctrinal issues, including same-sex relationships and the ordination of women to the episcopate.
Conservative churches across Africa, Asia, and South America are now moving to reclaim what they describe as the original structure and biblical doctrine of Anglicanism.
The decision is contained in a resolution issued on Friday in Abuja, at the conclusion of the Global Anglican Council meeting held from March 3 to March 6.
The historic gathering brought together 347 bishops along with 121 lay and clerical leaders representing 27 provinces from around the globe.
According to the statement, the meeting marked the official inauguration of the Global Anglican Communion as a confessional body, separate from the institutional structures led by Canterbury.
The council, now led by the newly elected Chair, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, declared that the “Canterbury Instruments” have failed to uphold essential biblical discipline.
Specifically, the leaders noted that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lambeth Conference could no longer be viewed as the spiritual anchors of the global faith.
The statement further accused the Church of England’s leadership of “cultural capitulation” and of normalising teachings that contradict the authority of the Holy Scripture.
“The moral and spiritual authority of the Seat of Augustine has been severely compromised,” the council stated in the resolution made available to NAN.
The leaders argued that continuing participation in Canterbury-led meetings would give credence to the “lie” that it is possible to maintain unity with those who have abandoned biblical teaching.
”As part of the landmark resolutions, leaders holding office in the new Global Anglican Communion are now strictly prohibited from attending any future Primates’ Meetings called by the UK.
”The ban extends to participation in the Lambeth Conference and the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), which have traditionally been the pillars of the denomination.
”Member provinces have been directed to cease all financial contributions to the ACC and to refuse any financial assistance from what they termed “compromised sources.”
According to the statement, the council in a move to ensure legal autonomy encouraged provinces to amend their individual constitutions to remove references to being “in communion with the See of Canterbury”.
”The council affirmed the Jerusalem Declaration as the sole confession of faith required for membership, effectively shifting the definition of Anglicanism from institutional to confessional.
“A significant administrative shift was also announced, with the “Gafcon Primates Council” being officially replaced by the Global Anglican Council.
“This new body will now serve as the primary authority for authenticating new provinces and guarding the theological integrity of Global Anglicans worldwide.”
The council announced its inaugural executive team, with Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as Chair, supported by Deputy Chair, Archbishop Miguel Uchôa, and General Secretary, Bishop Paul Donison.
”In spite of the sharp departure, the council maintained that it should not be viewed as a “breakaway” group, but rather as the “historic Anglican Communion reordered from within”.
The statement, however, called on all faithful Anglicans to join the new structure, emphasising that Christian unity must be based on truth rather than mere institutional coexistence.
NAN reports that the Church of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, has already formally severed ties with the Church of England, citing the current leadership direction as “insensitive and devastating” to the orthodox faith.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
