Conference preparing declaration on state of Anglican Communion

Jun 27, 2008 / 00:59 am

At a press conference on Thursday, Kenyan Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi gave an update on a statement assessing the state of the Anglican Communion, which is being drafted by the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) at their Jerusalem meeting.

Archbishop Nzimbi said that the GAFCON final statement is still being developed, but certain themes are emerging.

“There is a passion for the Gospel, a determination to stay true to the Bible, to continue the work of mission and to do so as Anglicans,” he said. There is also a “profound sadness” about the state of the Anglican Communion and a “sense of betrayal and abandonment” by the exiting leadership and church structures.

The archbishop said attendees wanted GAFCON to become “a movement and not simply a moment.” To sustain the movement, attendees know an “agreed theological framework” and appropriate structures will be necessary.

GAFCON attendees agree that more permanent structures need to be established for “faithful Anglicans who live and serve in provinces that have left the traditional teachings of scripture.” They have also endorsed outreach to other Anglicans who share their common faith “so that we can grow in our witness to the world of God’s transforming power,” Archbishop Nzimbi said.

The first draft of the GAFCON statement will be read to all attendees on Friday. The statement is scheduled to be finalized before the close of the conference on Sunday.