Hundreds of Anglican conservative leaders from 52 countries have gathered in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss the rift over support for same-sex unions within the church. The conference has been convened under the auspices of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, or GAFCON, a group formed in 2008 that advocates orthodoxy in the global Anglican communion.
The meeting comes two months after the Church of England’s decision to bless civil marriages of same-sex couples, a move that has caused concern among many clerics from Africa. Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda stated that the conference aims to bring the Bible to be at the center of everything.
The divisions within the Anglican Church have been widening in recent years, as conservative bishops from Africa and Asia have affirmed their opposition to LGBTQ inclusion and demanded repentance by the more liberal provinces with inclusive policies. The general secretary of GAFCON, Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Nigeria, said in a statement that the Church of England’s new stance on civil marriages is troubling for many Anglicans.
The GAFCON conference, which features Bible studies and other seminars, will end on April 21. GAFCON’s chairman, American primate Foley Beach, stated during the conference’s opening that his group can no longer recognize Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. Welby has previously acknowledged the deep disagreement among the provinces while urging them to try to “walk together.”
The debate over same-sex unions has caused divisions within the Anglican Church worldwide, with some members advocating for inclusion while others oppose it. While the Church of England has taken a step towards inclusivity, many African and Asian bishops continue to express concern. The GAFCON conference is an opportunity for conservative Anglican leaders to come together to discuss their views and consider their next steps. The future of the Anglican Church, particularly in relation to the LGBT community, remains uncertain.
