Global Orthodox Anglican leaders have announced a major restructuring of the Anglican Communion, formally distancing themselves from the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the UK-based “Instruments of Communion.”
The move marks the culmination of years of theological disputes within the worldwide Anglican family, particularly over issues such as same-sex relationships and the ordination of women to the episcopate.
The decision was contained in a resolution issued Friday in Abuja at the end of the Global Anglican Council meeting held from March 3 to March 6.
The gathering brought together 347 bishops and 121 lay and clerical leaders representing 27 provinces from across Africa, Asia, South America and other parts of the world.
According to the statement, the meeting formally inaugurated the Global Anglican Communion as a confessional body operating separately from the institutional structures historically led by Canterbury.
The council, chaired by Laurent Mbanda, declared that the “Canterbury Instruments” had failed to maintain essential biblical discipline and could no longer serve as the spiritual centre of the global Anglican faith.
“The moral and spiritual authority of the Seat of Augustine has been severely compromised,” the council said in the resolution made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Leaders at the meeting also criticised the leadership of the Church of England, accusing it of abandoning biblical teachings.
The statement alleged that the church had engaged in “cultural capitulation” and had normalised teachings that contradict the authority of Holy Scripture.
The council said continued participation in meetings convened by Canterbury would falsely suggest unity with churches that had departed from biblical doctrine.
“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 were also directed to halt financial contributions to the ACC and decline financial assistance from what the council described as “compromised sources.”
In addition, provinces were encouraged to amend their constitutions to remove references to being “in communion with the See of Canterbury,” a move aimed at strengthening legal and institutional independence.
The council further declared that the Jerusalem Declaration would serve as the sole confession of faith for membership, effectively redefining Anglican identity from an institutional structure to a confessional movement.
A major administrative change was also announced, with the “Gafcon Primates Council” being replaced by the newly established Global Anglican Council, which will now oversee the recognition of new provinces and guard the theological direction of the movement.
The council unveiled its inaugural leadership team with Mbanda as Chair, supported by Deputy Chair Miguel Uchôa and General Secretary Paul Donison.
Despite the decisive shift, the council insisted the new structure should not be interpreted as a breakaway movement.
“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 council also called on Anglicans worldwide who share its doctrinal position to align with the new structure.
The statement emphasised that Christian unity must be built on truth rather than institutional affiliation.
Meanwhile, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), led by Henry Ndukuba, has already formally severed ties with the Church of England, describing the current direction of its leadership as “insensitive and devastating” to the orthodox faith, according to NAN.
