Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans

Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans is an international coalition formed chiefly from provinces and dioceses within the Anglican Communion aligned with the Global Anglican Future Conference movement. It emerged amid disputes involving Anglican realignment, responses to decisions made by the Anglican Consultative Council, and tensions following the consecration of Gene Robinson in the Episcopal Church (United States) and doctrinal developments in provinces such as the Church of England and the Anglican Church of Canada. The Fellowship seeks to promote what it describes as confessional Anglican identity in dialogue with bodies such as the Primates' Meeting and institutions including Lambeth Palace.

History

The Fellowship traces its origins to the inaugural Global Anglican Future Conference in 2008 held in Jerusalem where leaders including Peter Akinola, Archbishop Peter Jensen, Ralph Moore and delegates from the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Anglican Church in North America, Anglican Church of Australia and Church of Uganda signaled a coordinated response to developments in the Anglican Communion. In the aftermath, the Fellowship convened provincial networks drawing support from figures like Owen Chadwick critics, regional primates including Henry Orombi and allied groups such as Anglican Mainstream, Christian Concern, and mission organizations like TEN and Crosslinks. Key early events referenced the Lambeth Conference debates, the Windsor Report, and decisions at the Primates' Meeting which influenced alignment of provinces such as Church of Nigeria, Church of Uganda, Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and dioceses that later associated with the Anglican Church in North America.

Beliefs and Doctrine

The Fellowship articulates doctrinal positions rooted in historic formularies such as the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Book of Common Prayer usages from provinces like the Church of England and the Anglican Church of Australia, and confessional statements endorsed by leaders like Peter Jensen and Peter Akinola. The Fellowship emphasizes orthodox positions on issues debated in the Communion including human sexuality controversies following the actions of Gene Robinson and resolutions from bodies like the Anglican Consultative Council and the Lambeth Conference 1998. It affirms creedal standards associated with Nicene Creed traditions and theological approaches influenced by theologians such as J. I. Packer, N. T. Wright, and historic figures like Richard Hooker and Thomas Cranmer. The Fellowship's doctrine intersects with ecclesiological commitments echoing the stances of Anglican realignment advocates and the formation of alternative provincial structures that reference judicial and synodal precedents from provinces including Church of Ireland and Episcopal Church (United States) cases.

Structure and Membership

Organizationally the Fellowship functions as a loose confederation rather than a juridical province, incorporating leaders from provinces such as Church of Nigeria, Church of Uganda, Anglican Church in North America, Anglican Church of Australia conservative dioceses, and networks in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Canada, and United States. Leadership has included chairs drawn from metropolitan sees like Archbishop of Sydney and representatives from primatial offices such as Archbishop of Nigeria. Affiliates include mission agencies, theological colleges such as Moore Theological College, and advocacy groups including Gafcon partners. Membership patterns reflect alignments similar to those seen in earlier communion instruments like the Windsor Report reactions and the concurrent establishment of bodies such as Common Cause Partnership and Jubilee Centre-style networks.

Activities and Global Influence

The Fellowship organizes conferences, theological education programs, and mission partnerships with institutions across Africa, Asia, North America, and Oceania. It has been active in convening global gatherings parallel to Lambeth Conference meetings and promoting alternative consultation among primates, bishops, and laity drawn from provinces including Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Canada, and Australia. The Fellowship has influenced the creation or recognition of parallel ecclesiastical oversight arrangements, engaged in advocacy before instruments like the Anglican Consultative Council and primatial assemblies, and collaborated with evangelical networks such as GAFCON affiliates, Lausanne Movement participants, and conservative theological colleges. Its global influence intersects with geopolitical ecclesial developments in regions shaped by missionary histories tied to Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Church Missionary Society, and modern mission partnerships.

Controversies and Criticism

The Fellowship has been criticized by figures associated with the Church of England, Episcopal Church (United States), and centrist provinces for contributing to schismatic tendencies within the Anglican Communion and for endorsing alternative oversight mechanisms akin to earlier interventions by Anglican realignment actors. Critics include commentators from institutions such as Lambeth Palace, scholars linked to Durham University, and civil society groups like Human Rights Watch and faith commentators cited in outlets influenced by debates around human sexuality and canon law disputes. Controversies involve tensions over recognition of orders, cross-border interventions paralleling disputes seen in the African Anglican Realignment, and debates about the Fellowship's relation to existing communion instruments including the Primates' Meeting and Anglican Consultative Council. Supporters counter that the Fellowship upholds historic Anglican doctrine citing precedents in the Reformation and appeals to confessional integrity as exemplified by leaders like Peter Akinola and Peter Jensen.

Category:Anglican realignment