GAFCON Declares Formation of Global Anglican CommunionGAFCON Separates from Traditional Communion Structure // GSFA Withholds Endorsement // Mullally Appointment Sparks International Response //

Charles Perez
30 minutes ago
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GSFA Refuses to Endorse GAFCON Statement // Anglican Watch Features VOL Interview

"God intends us to penetrate the world. Christian salt has no business to remain snugly in elegant little ecclesiastical salt cellars; our place is to be rubbed into the secular community, as salt is rubbed into meat, to stop it going bad." – John Stott

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

www.virtueonline.org

October 17, 2025

Historic Shift: GAFCON Announces Separation

The long-anticipated moment arrived Thursday morning. At 5am, my inbox contained a headline that will reshape Anglican history: "The future has arrived."

GAFCON has declared formal separation from the current Anglican Communion structure. "As has been the case from the very beginning, we have not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion," declared GAFCON chairman Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda.

The organization announced it will reform and reorder itself as the Global Anglican Communion. "Our GAFCON Primates gathered this hour to fulfill our mandate to reform the Anglican Communion, as expressed in the Jerusalem Statement of 2008," Mbanda said.

Eight-Point Resolution

The archbishop outlined the following framework:

Foundation: The Anglican Communion will be reordered with the Holy Bible as its sole foundation
Rejection of Current Instruments: The so-called Instruments of Communion—the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Conference, Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), and Primates Meeting—have failed to uphold doctrine and discipline
Separation from Revisionism: Communion cannot continue with those advocating a revisionist agenda that abandons biblical authority and overturns Resolution I.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference
Restored Structure: GAFCON has reordered the Communion by restoring its original structure as a fellowship of autonomous provinces bound by Reformation Formularies, as reflected at the first Lambeth Conference in 1867
Non-Participation: Global Anglican Communion provinces shall not participate in meetings called by the Archbishop of Canterbury or the ACC, and shall neither make nor receive monetary contributions from these bodies
Constitutional Amendments: Provinces are encouraged to remove references to communion with the See of Canterbury and the Church of England from their constitutions
Membership Requirements: Provinces or dioceses must assent to the Jerusalem Declaration of 2008 as the contemporary standard for Anglican identity
Leadership Structure: A Council of Primates will elect a Chairman as primus inter pares to preside and "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3)

Archbishop Mbanda stated that the absence of repentance by predominantly Global North provinces necessitated this action to advance a future where the Bible is restored to the heart of the Communion.

Read full details here

GSFA Response: Caution and Concern

The Global South Fellowship of Anglicans (GSFA) has not endorsed GAFCON's statement. A senior GSFA archbishop told VOL that GAFCON acted hastily without consulting other orthodox groups.

However, another source suggested GAFCON's patience had worn thin. "GAFCON has been waiting for GSFA to take action. Some GSFA leaders prefer polite conversations with sophisticated (and generous) liberal English and Americans over coordinating with their Nigerian and Australian counterparts." The source noted that Archbishop Mbanda has felt disrespected by certain GSFA leaders, particularly Archbishops Chung and Anis.

The tension reflects different approaches: GSFA emphasizes process and consensus-building, while GAFCON prioritizes decisive action. Some GSFA members reportedly listen to Church of England evangelicals who suggest the situation could improve when Archbishop-designate Mullally retires in six years. After Mullally's appointment, GAFCON decided enough was enough.

Understanding the Mullally Controversy

For those outside Anglican circles, the concerns about Sarah Mullally's appointment as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury may seem puzzling. Peter Leach of The Critic offers valuable perspective:

"Most negative commentary is either written for a church audience without explaining why specific positions are problematic, or it attacks her identity politics and charisma—charges applicable to any public figure. But for Christian believers, the Church of England isn't simply a state institution. The theology, integrity, and gender of the incumbent are central to leading the Anglican communion."

Three Theological Perspectives:

Archbishop Sarah Mullally represents the culmination of revisionist gains in the Church of England, confirming that traditionalist groups like CEEC and Forward in Faith have no viable future within the institution. – Anonymous observer

The Church has always insisted on the maleness of the ordained minister. Christ was incarnate not as generic humanity but as a man—not because masculinity is superior, but because in the divine economy of salvation, His male humanity is integral to His identity as the Bridegroom who lays down His life for the Bride. The nuptial mystery between Christ and His Church is inscribed in the structure of Holy Orders. – Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Moore

By choosing Sarah Mullally, the Church of England has effectively distanced itself from the vast majority of Anglicans in the Global South, who have upheld traditional Christian teachings on marriage and ordination. Many hoped for healing and reconciliation within the fractured Anglican Communion. Instead, this decision closes that door and signals affirmation of the unorthodox direction taken by the Church of England and several Western provinces. – Archbishop Mouneer Anis

Read Peter Leach's full analysis

Is the West Experiencing Religious Revival?

Some believe Western culture is experiencing—or desperately needs—a spiritual awakening. Proponents point to Gen Z leading a movement away from technological narcissism and social media toward Christian hope.

However, cultural Christianity and orthodox faith are not synonymous. Many conservatives embrace traditional values and "the American Way" without genuine submission to Christ. As Rev. Dr. Ronald Moore observes: "In the early Church, there was one Body, one faith, one baptism. If you walked away from the Church, you walked away from the faith. Today, we have a buffet. If First Baptist offends you, try another. If Baptists are too much, there's a Presbyterian church. And if they preach anything uncomfortable, there's always a non-denominational place with better coffee and a rock band."

Young generations are indeed spiritually bankrupt and desperate for transcendent meaning. Any signs of authentic spiritual life are hopeful. Yet Paul's advice to Timothy remains relevant: "Lay hands on no man suddenly" (1 Tim. 5:22)—wisdom applicable when new leaders emerge rapidly.

Americans perpetually seek the next "new thing"—the latest guru, the newest spiritual enlightenment. Most possess minimal spiritual depth.

Troubling Survey Data

Significant numbers of evangelicals hold concerning theological positions:

53% believe the Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being (2025 State of Theology survey)
30% agree Jesus was a great teacher but not God (Ligonier Ministries)
18% believe the Holy Spirit can command actions forbidden in Scripture
65% believe Jesus is "the first and greatest being created by God"
46% believe "everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature"
42% believe "God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam"

These findings reveal substantial theological confusion among those identifying as evangelical.

The MAGA movement's attempt to portray its leader as Christ-like faces challenges from Donald Trump's recent statements about hatred and his prospects for heaven, testing evangelical support.

Mary Ann Mueller has written a moving reflection: Three Words That Shocked the World

ACNA-JACF Legal Dispute Continues

The public conflict between the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the Joint Anglican Communion of Forces (JACF) has escalated into lawsuits with no clear resolution in sight.

Timeline:

JACF Bishop Derek Jones faces charges of "credible complaints alleging abuse of ecclesiastical power" from ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood
Jones denies charges and withdraws JACF diocese from ACNA
ACNA claims JACF belongs to ACNA and cannot separate
ACNA installs a new bishop
JACF sues to retain name and chaplains
ACNA files response

The ACNA requests the court deny JACF's motion for temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, arguing that JACF is not entitled to presumptive ownership of its marks, that ACNA has common law rights to its marks, and that the court should honor the immunity doctrine established in Milivojevich.

One lay woman's perspective on how this conflict has impacted her local JACF congregation: We the Uncommon in Communion: A Lay Woman's Lament

Bishop Ruch Trial Concludes

The trial concerning Bishop Stewart W. Ruch III has concluded, and the court has adjourned for deliberations. Confidentiality prevails as the outcome remains uncertain.

Latest report available here

Anglican Watch Interview

I was recently interviewed by Eric Bonetti, editor of Anglican Watch. Despite our differing views on issues including same-sex marriage, Eric has been a valued friend and trusted colleague for years. He has never accused me of homophobia, and I admire his honest handling of sexual abuse cases (both homosexual and heterosexual) in The Episcopal Church.

Read the interview here

United Methodist Split: A Preview?

Three years ago, the United Methodist Church split over same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy ordination. More than 7,600 congregations disaffiliated, joining the newly formed Global Methodist Church—a theologically conservative denomination that launched in 2022 with dozens of congregations and now oversees more than 4,600 worldwide.

The Anglican Communion may follow a similar trajectory. The numbers will be larger, but the outcome likely the same. Light and darkness cannot coexist.

Church of England Pauses LLF Process

Church of England bishops have suspended progress on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) report. While maintaining that church doctrine on marriage remains unchanged, the blessing of same-sex marriages is now on hold indefinitely.

One prominent evangelical commentator told The Living Church he was "not surprised," suggesting factors include "weariness, a new archbishop (Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally), and recognizing how hard it will be to push this forward."