Abuja, Nigeria – March 7, 2026
In a landmark resolution issued on Friday at the conclusion of the Global Anglican Council meeting in Abuja, conservative Anglican provinces from Africa, Asia, South America and other regions formally declared the establishment of a restructured Global Anglican Communion as a separate, confessional body independent of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the traditional “Instruments of Communion” headquartered in the United Kingdom.
The decision, endorsed by 347 bishops together with 121 lay and clerical leaders representing 27 provinces, marks the most decisive institutional split in modern Anglican history and brings to a climax more than two decades of deepening theological and doctrinal conflict, particularly over same-sex relationships, the blessing of same-sex unions, the ordination of women to the episcopate, and the authority of Scripture.
The resolution explicitly states that the “Canterbury Instruments”—the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and the Primates’ Meeting—have forfeited their moral and spiritual authority by failing to uphold biblical discipline and by accommodating teachings that the signatories believe contradict the plain meaning of Scripture.
“The moral and spiritual authority of the Seat of Augustine has been severely compromised,” the document declares. “The Church of England’s leadership has engaged in cultural capitulation and has normalised teachings that contradict the authority of the Holy Scripture.”
Key Resolutions and Structural Changes
Among the most significant decisions:
Leaders holding office in the newly constituted Global Anglican Communion are prohibited from attending future Primates’ Meetings called by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, or meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council.
Member provinces are directed to cease all financial contributions to the ACC and to decline any financial assistance from what the resolution describes as “compromised sources.”
Provinces are encouraged to amend their individual constitutions to remove any reference to being “in communion with the See of Canterbury,” thereby securing full legal and canonical autonomy.
The Jerusalem Declaration (2008) is affirmed as the sole doctrinal confession required for membership in the Global Anglican Communion, shifting the definition of Anglican identity from institutional affiliation to confessional agreement.
The former Gafcon Primates Council has been officially replaced by the Global Anglican Council, which will now serve as the primary authority for authenticating new provinces, guarding theological integrity and coordinating global mission.
The council elected its inaugural executive leadership team: Archbishop Laurent Mbanda (Rwanda) as Chair, Archbishop Miguel Uchôa (Brazil) as Deputy Chair, and Bishop Paul Donison (Canada) as General Secretary.
Not a Breakaway, but a Reordering
The resolution is careful to insist that the Global Anglican Communion does not consider itself a “breakaway” group but rather “the historic Anglican Communion reordered from within.” It calls on all faithful Anglicans worldwide to affiliate with the new structure, arguing that true Christian unity must be rooted in shared adherence to biblical truth rather than institutional coexistence with those who have departed from historic doctrine.
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), led by Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, has already taken formal steps to sever ties with the Church of England, describing the current leadership direction in Canterbury as “insensitive and devastating” to the orthodox faith. Several other provinces, particularly in Africa and Asia, are expected to follow suit in the coming months.
Background and Immediate Context
The Abuja meeting (March 3–6, 2026) was the largest and most representative gathering of conservative Anglican leaders since the formation of Gafcon in 2008. Attendance included primates, bishops, clergy and lay leaders from provinces that together represent the overwhelming majority of active Anglicans worldwide—estimated at 60–70 million communicants, compared with the declining numbers in many Western provinces.
The gathering took place against the backdrop of the recent decision by the Church of England’s General Synod to authorise prayers of blessing for same-sex couples (while stopping short of full marriage rites), a move that many conservative provinces viewed as the final breach of communion.
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, in his acceptance speech as Chair, stated: “We have not left Anglicanism. We are continuing Anglicanism—faithful, biblical, missionary Anglicanism—while Canterbury has chosen a different path.”
Global Reactions
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office issued a brief statement expressing regret over the division but reaffirming the historic role of the See of Canterbury as a focus of unity. The Anglican Communion Office in London has not yet issued a detailed response.
Leaders of the Episcopal Church (USA), the Church of England and other liberal-leaning provinces described the Abuja resolution as “regrettable” and “unnecessary,” arguing that the Anglican tradition has always accommodated diversity of opinion within a broad tent.
Evangelical and orthodox Anglican networks worldwide welcomed the move as a necessary act of fidelity to Scripture and historic doctrine.
The restructuring is expected to accelerate the realignment of global Anglicanism into two distinct streams: a liberal/progressive Communion centred on Canterbury and a conservative/confessional Global Anglican Communion now formally organised under the Abuja framework.
Observers anticipate that many Global South dioceses and parishes currently in provinces aligned with Canterbury will seek to affiliate with the new structure in the months ahead, potentially leading to further legal and jurisdictional disputes over property and recognition.
