Gafcon Declares Itself the True Global Anglican Communion

October 23, 2025 ohidah

Gafcon, a worldwide Anglican movement, has officially rejected the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The group announced that it now considers itself the true Global Anglican Communion, claiming to represent most Anglicans, especially in the Global South.

This marks one of the biggest turning points in Anglican history. Gafcon leaders say their decision follows years of concern that the mainstream Anglican Church has strayed from biblical truth.

Breaking Away from Canterbury

In a public statement released on October 16 and titled “The Future Has Arrived,” Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda, who chairs the Gafcon Primates Council, explained the reason behind the move.

He said Gafcon first gathered in 2008 in Jerusalem to respond to what they believed was a departure from Scripture by senior Anglican leaders. The group had been waiting for repentance, he said, but saw no change.

“Today, that future has arrived,” Archbishop Mbanda said. “Our Gafcon Primates have fulfilled the call to reform the Anglican Communion as expressed in the Jerusalem Statement of 2008.”

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A New Structure Based on the Bible

According to the declaration, Gafcon is creating a new Anglican framework built entirely on the authority of the Bible.

“We declare that the Anglican Communion will be reordered with only one foundation of communion, namely the Holy Bible, translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and true sense,” the statement said.

Gafcon also announced that it would no longer recognize the traditional institutions that have defined Anglican unity. These include the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council, and the Primates Meeting. The group says these bodies have failed to uphold biblical truth and church doctrine.

Concerns Over Doctrinal Drift

Archbishop Mbanda accused the official Anglican leadership of promoting what he called a “revisionist agenda.” He pointed to recent events such as the appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann, a practicing lesbian, as Archbishop of Wales, and the naming of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, who has voiced support for same-sex blessings.

“We cannot continue to have communion with those who have abandoned the word of God as the final authority,” Mbanda said. “Gafcon has therefore restored the Anglican Communion to its original form as a fellowship of independent provinces united by the faith of the Reformation.”

New Membership and Leadership

Under the new structure, Gafcon provinces will not take part in meetings called by the Archbishop of Canterbury. They will also avoid financial or administrative ties with the Anglican Consultative Council and its networks.

Provinces are being encouraged to update their constitutions and remove references to communion with the See of Canterbury or the Church of England.

Archbishop Mbanda said any province or diocese wishing to join the Global Anglican Communion must affirm the Jerusalem Declaration of 2008. This declaration now serves as the standard for Anglican identity within Gafcon.

A new Council of Primates will also be formed to guide the movement and elect a chairman. The goal, Mbanda said, is to remain faithful “to the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints,” quoting from the Book of Jude.

“We Are the Anglican Communion”

Mbanda stressed that Gafcon is not leaving Anglicanism but reclaiming it.

“As has been the case from the very beginning, we have not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion,” he said.

The movement plans to celebrate its new identity at the upcoming G26 Bishops Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, scheduled for March 3 to 6, 2026.

“Please pray that we will lead our Communion in submission to the Holy Spirit as we listen to the voice of Jesus through the Scriptures,” Mbanda added.

Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi

Image Credit: Anglican.com