Growing divisions within the global Anglican community seem to be deepening after the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) elected a new leader on Wednesday March 3rd, 2026, just days before the inauguration of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury.
GAFCON voted for Reverend Laurent Mbanda, a Rwandan Anglican leader, to chair its council of bishops during a high-level meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. Mbanda, 71, currently serves as Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda.
The election comes at a critical moment for the Anglican Communion, as Sarah Mullally prepares to assume office as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Her appointment signaled a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman to hold the position, one of the most influential roles in the worldwide Anglican Church.
According to reports from the BBC, Mbanda will now lead the council of bishops within GAFCON, a conservative Anglican movement that includes churches mainly from Africa and Asia. The group says it represents a large portion of Anglicans around the world.
Mullally’s appointment over the past month has sparked renewed debate within parts of the Anglican community, with some bishops voicing opposition to female leadership in the church.
GAFCON, however, insisted that it is not a rebellious or divisive faction. The movement added it exists to uphold what it describes as traditional Anglican beliefs and maintained that it represents the majority of Anglicans globally.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has not yet publicly commented on Mbanda’s election. However, the Church’s leadership has previously denounced the establishment of the movement.
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The Anglican Church, which originated in Britain, is the world’s third-largest Christian denomination and has churches in more than 165 countries.
GAFCON leaders have previously criticized the leadership in Canterbury, accusing it of moving away from traditional teachings on issues such as sexuality.
In 2023, former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby supported proposals that would allow blessings for same-sex couples in the Church of England. The plan triggered disagreements among bishops, with some opposing the move.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Justin Murff, a GAFCON official, said the movement does not intend to break away from Canterbury. Instead, he blamed the Canterbury for taking its unilateral decision.
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