The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), a group that represents conservative Anglican churches in 24 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, is set to consider taking drastic action against the Church of England’s recent decision to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages. The GSFA argues that the decision goes against the prevailing beliefs of the Anglican Communion and rejects the doctrine that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman.
Twelve key church leaders from the global south are expected to convene next week to discuss the possibility of assuming a dominant position in the Anglican Communion, potentially relegating Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who leads the global church of 85 million, to a secondary role.
Welby has personally stated that he will not bless same-sex marriages in an attempt to prevent an irreparable breakdown within the church. However, conservative church leaders have warned of severe consequences after the historic vote by the Church of England’s governing body, the General Synod.
Archbishop Samy Fawzy Shehata of Alexandria in Egypt told the synod that the decision to bless same-sex unions will lead to impaired and broken communion, potentially alienating 75% of the Anglican Communion. Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba of Uganda released a statement saying that “God cannot bless what he calls sin” and that the Church of England has departed from the Anglican faith.
The GSFA, which claims to represent 75% of the global Anglican church, has stated that it will take decisive steps to reset the Anglican Communion and that its members will not leave the global church, but will recognize that the Church of England has now joined other provinces with which communion is impaired.
Conservative churches have already severed ties with churches in the US, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales that offer church weddings or bless same-sex civil marriages. During the synod debate, Nigerian-born vicar Folli Olokose warned that a vote in favor of blessing same-sex unions would “put a nail in the coffin of the Anglican Communion.”
Despite the potential backlash, Archbishop Welby has continued to put the global Anglican church at the forefront of his leadership and has visited all member churches around the world multiple times since being appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury ten years ago. Despite the shrinking of congregations in the Church of England, churches in the global south are growing rapidly in both size and influence.
Welby expressed his concern for the safety of members of the Anglican Communion during the synod and acknowledged that the decision to bless same-sex unions could put Anglicans in some countries at great risk. He stated, “People will die, women will be raped, children will be tortured… this is not just about what people say, it’s what they’ll suffer.” He went on to say, “I beg you to believe that there’s nothing in my life or heart or prayers that comes as high as the safety and flourishing of people I love in the Anglican Communion.”
