Challenge to CofE as GAFCON Anglicans appoint ‘missionary bishop’
by Mark Woods, Christian Today:
The Global Anglican Futures Conference – GAFCON – is to appoint a ‘missionary bishop’ for conservative Christians in Europe, bypassing Anglican Churches in England and Scotland.
The move was announced in a communiqué yesterday from GAFCON’S meeting of conservative primates in Lagos, Nigeria. Made up of nine Anglican provinces and five ‘branches’, the organisation claims to represent the majority of the world’s Anglicans. It was set up in alarm at what founders saw as the increasing acceptance of homosexuality among Western, more liberal Churches, and is adamantly opposed to any compromise on the issue.
Its statement said: ‘During our meeting, we considered how best to respond to the voice of faithful Anglicans in some parts of the Global North who are in need of biblically faithful episcopal leadership.
‘Of immediate concern is the reality that on 8th June 2017 the Scottish Episcopal Church is likely to formalize their rejection of Jesus’ teaching on marriage. If this were to happen, faithful Anglicans in Scotland will need appropriate pastoral care.