The ACC 17 meeting convenes in Hong Kong
and the GAFCON Primates’ Council convenes in Sydney
Recent days have seen two meetings of wide import for the future of the Anglican Communion, namely the convening of the GAFCON Primates’ Council in Sydney Australia from April 29th – May 2, 2019, and the Anglican Consultative Council in Hong Kong from 28thof April 5thMay.
These meetings comprised two very different events which reflect in their very differences something of the powerfully divergent tendencies at work in the Anglican Communion as a whole. A trend which may be further demonstrated when the Lambeth Conference convenes in 2020 without full attendance and many of those Bishop missing from it attend a GAFCON conference to be held in Rwanda instead.
While their participating Provinces may have differing levels of formal attachment to GAFCON, a mere seven of the GAFCON Archbishops, namely Nicholas D. Okoh of Nigeria, Stanley Ntagali of Uganda, Jackson Nasoore Ole Sapit of Kenya, Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda, Zacharie Masimango Katanda of the Congo, James Wong of The Indian Ocean and Than Myint Oo of Myanmar clearly represent more than half of the world’s actual Anglicans.
And these leaders were joined by Primates representing a further two of the Communion’s smaller Provinces (as currently recognised by the ACC in a formal legal sense that is somewhat moot to GAFCON) namely Gregory Venables of South America and Tito Zavalla of Chile as well as Foley Beach from ACNA in the United States and Miguel Uchoa from Brazil.
They issued together a powerful and direct statement which is appended below.
By contrast, the Anglican Consultative Council convened in its full and formal splendour in Hong Kong with representatives from most of the 40 Provinces currently recognised by the ACC and proceeded about its work with almost no reference to GAFCON (save in the opening remarks) or the fact that GAFCON Provinces representing so many of the world’s Anglicans feel increasingly alienated from this ‘legacy institution’ and the “proceduralism” which they feel the ACC to represent that they are ever more disinclined to participate.
As of the time of writing, the full list of Resolutions which the ACC promulgated in Hong Kong and formally approved has yet to emerge in final form, but the Resolutions were certainly substantive and represented a huge range of formal and process-driven work run by a relatively complex administrative machine. That machine is thus very different from the still nascent structure of GAFCON.
The ACC resolutions covered a complex array of matters of which more will be said here shortly, relating to extensive work on Ecumenism and Safeguarding through to the altogether more explosive matters of human sexuality, with related listening processes, and just who will get invited as a spouse to the Lambeth Conference in 2020.
The ACC meeting was of course graced by the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby while the GAFCON meeting was not. This again speaks to yet more issues of challenge and divergence facing the Communion.
Further reports will follow upon the ACC meeting and its proceedings in Hong Kong once the official texts of the final Resolutions emerge, but for now the full text of the GAFCON Communiqué which is already available in final form follows:
A Communiqué from the GAFCON Primates Council
Sydney, Australia – April 29, 2019 – May 2, 2019
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. ~ Psalm 127:1
Introduction
As Archbishops and Primates of the Anglican Communion we came to Sydney, Australia, for prayer, worship, and fellowship. We were joined by the leaders of our branches, and worked together to support the ministry of our people. Our provinces and branches represent 50 million of the 70 million active Anglicans of the Communion. We give thanks for the generous hospitality of Archbishop Glenn Davies and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney who hosted us.
Our primary focus this week has been upon the great tasks of mission and evangelism. As a global fellowship we are uniquely positioned to support one another in ministry to a world where mass immigration and globalisation are reshaping our countries. There are billions who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the field is ripe for the harvest. In this new world every believer has a role in preaching Christ faithfully to the nations. There are even more who have heard, but not understood. In many situations the main challenge is not ignorance, but unbelief. We ask you to join us in prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s power to break into the hearts and minds of those who have not yet believed.
Leadership Transitions
Our time together began on Monday evening as we gathered for dinner. We gave thanks for the sacrificial work of our outgoing leadership team: Archbishop Nicholas Okoh of Nigeria (Chairman), Archbishop Stanley Ntagali of Uganda (Vice Chairman) and Archbishop Peter Jensen of Australia (General Secretary). By the grace of God, during this last season of our life together their steady hands have guided us, and because of their faithfulness we have seen the movement grow from strength to strength.
We installed Archbishop Foley Beach of North America as the new Chairman of the Primates Council and gathered around him for a time of prayer and commissioning. This was the first Council meeting for Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Nigeria, the General Secretary, who took up this post in January. Archbishops Beach and Kwashi shared the chairing of the meeting, and we also elected Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda to serve as Vice Chairman of the Council. Please join us in prayer as they lead us forward in the years to come.
In addition, it was our joy to welcome the Most Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit, Archbishop of Kenya, onto the Primates Council.
Network Growth
Our common commitment to the gospel provides us with the energy and freedom necessary for mission. Our grassroots networks are doing exciting work in nine diverse areas and we heard updates on the progress of each of them. We rejoice to see the networks working together to fulfil our commitment in Jerusalem last year ‘to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations’.
Our work in all its variety is undergirded by prayer through the daily topics provided by the Prayer Network and we rejoice to see how the networks are already bringing fresh impetus. In New Zealand, the Lawyers Task Force has advised on the Constitution and Canons of a new Anglican diocese, while mission strategy has been enriched in both New Zealand and Ireland by consultation with the Church Planting network.
In Central and South America, the Church Planting Network is working with the Anglican Church in Brazil to establish new churches in areas beyond Brazil where Anglican witness has been compromised.
We see the Global Mission Partnerships Network being a catalyst for new evangelistic initiatives, especially in East Africa. Leadership around the Communion is being strengthened through the Bishops Training Institute which now has a network of over one hundred bishops who have benefitted from these training conferences.
Through the Sustainable Development Network, working together with partner Anglican agencies and local church leadership, generous funding has been raised for emergency relief and recovery in Mozambique following the Cyclone Idai disaster in March. We were also pleased to learn that the Youth and Children’s Ministry Network has recently launched an online platform for the sharing of teaching and worship resources to equip leaders who have the vital task of passing on the faith to a new generation.
Earlier this year some of us met in Dubai and had the joy of sharing fellowship with faithful Anglicans in restricted situations. They requested that a network to support those in similar circumstances be developed. We have enthusiastically affirmed this desire and the Suffering Church Network will enable us to share the burdens of those who show such resilience and even joy in the face of severe trial.
We are deeply distressed and saddened at the recent horrific attacks in Sri Lanka specifically targeting Christians, and the attendant injuries and tragic loss of life. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been attacked. We also pray for those who perpetrate such attacks, and pray that they come to repentance. We give thanks for the robust response of the Sri Lankan Government and their measures to protect all peace-loving citizens of the island nation.
Lambeth 2020
We were reminded of the words of Jeremiah 6:14, “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Last year in Jerusalem our delegates urged us not to attend Lambeth 2020 if godly order in the Communion had not been restored. They respectfully called upon the Archbishop of Canterbury to effect the necessary changes that fell within his power and responsibility.
We have not yet received a response from the Archbishop of Canterbury. We note that, as it currently stands, the conference is to include provinces who continue to violate Lambeth Resolution I.10 thereby putting the conference itself in violation of its own resolution: failing to uphold faithfulness in marriage and legitimising practices incompatible with Scripture. This incoherence further tears the fabric of the Anglican Communion and undermines the foundations for reconciliation.
Gafcon Bishops Conference 2020
On the one hand, we have no interest in attempting to rival Lambeth 2020. On the other hand, we do not want our bishops to be deprived of faithful fellowship while we wait for order in the Communion to be restored. Therefore, we have decided to call together a meeting of bishops of the Anglican Communion in June of 2020. The conference will be primarily designed for those who will not be attending Lambeth, but all bishops of the Anglican Communion who subscribe to the Jerusalem Declaration and Lambeth Resolution I.10 are invited to join in this time of teaching, worship, and fellowship. We shall meet June 8-14 in Kigali, Rwanda, and be hosted by Archbishop Laurent Mbanda and the Anglican Church of Rwanda.
Branch Reports
We received updates from each of our Gafcon branches. A common thread throughout these reports was the comfort that each has expressed in knowing that they are not alone.
New Zealand
With the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia’s recent General Synod decision to permit the blessing of same-sex marriages and civil unions we give thanks for the individuals and churches that have remained faithful and courageous in these islands. We support those who, in good conscience, feel unable to remain within a Church that has made such a decision. We affirmed their creating a new diocese and recognised them as authentically Anglican. This new diocese will keep them within the Anglican Communion and they will relate directly to Gafcon. We also affirmed the consecration of a new bishop to oversee and support the new diocese.
Europe and the United Kingdom
The Anglican provinces in this region have become confused and compromised by the waves of cultural change. We are encouraged by the growing membership of Gafcon UK. As we said in 2017, “ We believe that the complexity of the current situation in Europe does not admit of a single solution. Faithful Christians may be called to different courses of action. We bless those whose context and conscience have led them to remain and contend for the faith within the current structures.”
At the same time we have approved the creation of a missionary district for Europe to further the work of the gospel by meeting the needs of the growing number of Anglican congregations outside these provinces.
South Africa
We heard from Anglicans in South Africa who are taking steps towards building unity among the faithful in the country. Freedom of religion and freedom of association are being threatened within South African society. The creep of compromise, both in South African society generally and the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in particular, has been steady. After decades of estrangement, members of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa (REACH-SA) and faithful members of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa are coming together. They reported that the Jerusalem Conference was a powerful opportunity to deepen their fellowship.
Australia
The religious freedom issues that have affected South Africa have also affected the secular and religious life of Australia. The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia will meet again in 2020, and it is likely that some will push to redefine marriage. Gafcon Australia is working to maintain the biblical faithfulness of their province on both the issues of sexuality and church order. We also heard encouraging reports of the fellowship between Gafcon Australia and FCA New Zealand as they have supported one another over the last year. Their partnership has been a model of regional fellowship that we commend to the wider movement.
Ghana
In 2008, the Primate of West Africa, the Most Rev. Justice Offei Akrofi, was one of the founding members of the Gafcon movement. Members of the Church of the Province of West Africa have been present at each of the Global Anglican Future Conferences. The Diocese of Sunyani has now taken the lead in developing the official Ghanaian branch of the movement. A seven member board has been formed under the leadership of Bishop Festus Yeboah Asuamah.
Ireland
The Irish branch, launched in Belfast just over one year ago, is focusing its efforts on theological education and church planting. In December, over 50 clergy and ministry trainees attended a 48 hour Residential on Reformation Anglicanism, and in early 2019 over 180 attended a three week course in Biblical Theology. The foundations for a new church planting initiative are currently being put in place and specific details about personnel and location are due by the end of 2019. Preparations are also being made for a large Bible Convention in April 2021 for laity and clergy.
Women in the Episcopate
The Primates received the Interim Report of the Task Force on Women in the Episcopate, the result of a four-year comprehensive study, and affirmed its recommendation that “the provinces of Gafcon should retain the historic practice of consecration only of men as bishops until and unless a strong consensus to change emerges after prayer, consultation and continued study of Scripture among the Gafcon fellowship.” We authorised the Task Force to continue this consultation.
Conclusion
Gafcon is a movement “to guard and proclaim the unchanging truth in a changing world.” As we heard this week, many around the world are being tossed back and forth by waves of confusion, and blown by the wind of the latest, fashionable, false doctrine. Many are in desperate need of Jesus, who is the only one who can bring salvation. Please lift up his Church daily in your prayers, pray for us as we seek to lead, and join us in proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations.
The Most. Rev. Foley Beach (Chairman), North America
The Most. Rev. Laurent Mbanda (Vice Chairman), Rwanda
The Most Rev. Zacharie Masimango Katanda, Congo
The Most. Rev. Stanley Ntagali, Uganda
The Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, Nigeria
The Most Rev. Jackson Nasoore Ole Sapit, Kenya
The Most. Rev. Stephen Than Myint Oo, Myanmar
The Most Rev. Miguel Uchoa, Brazil
The Most Rev. Gregory James Venables, South America
The Most Rev. James Wong, Indian Ocean
The Most Rev. Tito Zavalla, Chile