International Anglican Family Network

International Anglican Family Network
Name	International Anglican Family Network
Founded	1994
Founder	Anglican Consultative Council
Type	Faith-based network
Headquarters	London
Region served	Global Anglican Communion
Leader title	Convenor

International Anglican Family Network The International Anglican Family Network is a global faith-based network within the Anglican Communion that focuses on pastoral support, policy advocacy, and resource sharing on family life, marriage, and child welfare. It operates through connections with provincial bodies such as the Church of England, the Episcopal Church (United States), the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Church of Ireland, engaging with ecumenical partners including the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, and the World Evangelical Alliance. The network links dioceses, theological colleges, parish organizations, and non-governmental organizations across provinces like the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the Anglican Church of Australia, and the Church of South India.

History

The network emerged from discussions at the Anglican Consultative Council meetings in the early 1990s, influenced by resolutions from the Lambeth Conference and pastoral concerns raised by primates from provinces such as the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the Church of Uganda. Early catalysts included initiatives by the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Mission and Evangelism and advocacy from bishops associated with the Anglican Communion Institute and the Anglican Communion Office in London. Founding activities involved collaboration with agencies like Tearfund, Christian Aid, and the Anglican Communion Network, and drew attention at gatherings such as the Global Anglican Future Conference and the Anglican Consultative Council sessions.

Organization and Governance

The network is coordinated by a convenor nominated by the Anglican Consultative Council and works alongside representatives from provincial bodies including the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Anglican Church of Kenya, and the Church of the Province of Melanesia. Governance draws on instruments of the Communion such as the Primates' Meeting and consultative links with the Lambeth Conference secretariat. Administrative support is often provided by partner institutions like the Anglican Communion Office, theological colleges such as Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and Trinity College, Toronto, and mission agencies including Anglican Missions and United Society Partners in the Gospel. Financial oversight has involved trusts and charitable entities similar to the Church Commissioners and diocesan boards like the Diocese of Sydney finance committee.

Mission and Activities

The network's mission emphasizes pastoral care for families, promotion of safe childhood environments, and advocacy on marriage law within provincial legislatures such as the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the United States Congress, and the Parliament of Australia. Activities include resource development with partners like The Mothers' Union, the Anglican Communion Office, and the International Anglican Liturgical Commission, training programs run in cooperation with seminaries such as St Augustine's College, Canterbury and Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and contributions to policy debates alongside civil society actors such as UNICEF, UN Women, and the World Health Organization.

Membership and Partnerships

Membership comprises diocesan family ministries, parish groups, clergy networks, and lay associations from provinces including the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, the Church in Wales, and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. The network partners with ecumenical and interfaith organizations such as the Council of Christian Churches in Sierra Leone, the National Council of Churches in Australia, and the All Africa Conference of Churches, and with secular NGOs like Save the Children and Plan International. Collaborative research and advocacy have linked the network with universities and think tanks including Durham University, King's College London, Princeton University, and the Brookings Institution.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs include marriage enrichment workshops modeled on curricula used by Marriage Encounter and Relate, child protection training adapted from protocols promoted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and implemented with dioceses like Cape Town and Pretoria. Initiatives have addressed gender-based violence in partnership with organizations such as Refuge, Equality Now, and the African Women's Development Fund, and supported refugee families in collaboration with agencies like International Rescue Committee and Jesuit Refugee Service. Educational resources have been developed with theological partners including Westcott House, Cambridge, Virginia Theological Seminary, and mission publishers such as SPCK.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters cite strengthened diocesan family ministries in provinces like Rwanda and Papua New Guinea, improved child safeguarding policies influenced by protocols in the Church of England and Anglican Church of Canada, and successful advocacy campaigns alongside groups such as UNICEF and WHO. Critics, including commentators from conservative networks like the Global Anglican Future Conference and progressive civil society groups such as Human Rights Watch, have argued the network's positions sometimes reflect provincial tensions exemplified by disputes involving the Episcopal Church (United States) and the Anglican Church of Nigeria (Diocese of Lagos). Debates have touched on issues raised at forums like the GAFCON primates' discussions and resolutions from the Anglican Consultative Council, with critiques focused on perceived theological bias, uneven resource allocation among provinces, and challenges coordinating with secular agencies such as the United Nations.

Category:Anglican Communion organizations