The Anglican Communion, already fraying at the seams, just tore straight down the middle.

GAFCON, a coalition of conservative Anglican leaders, formally renounced the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury on Thursday, labeling itself the authentic global Anglican leadership following the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally, a theologically liberal woman, as Archbishop, as Breitbart reports. 

This unprecedented move came in the wake of Mullally’s elevation to Canterbury earlier this month—the first time a woman has held the post in the Church of England’s nearly 500-year history.

Conservative Leaders Reject Progressive Hierarchy

The decision was announced in an open letter published by the Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda, GAFCON’s chairman and the Primate of the Rwandan Anglican Church. Mbanda didn’t mince words, stating the Communion's current leadership had “abandoned the Scriptures.”

“We cannot continue to have communion with those who advocate the revisionist agenda,” Mbanda wrote, criticizing both the doctrinal direction and moral authority of Canterbury.

GAFCON also rejected the Church's major global governing bodies, including the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates Meeting. Their declaration marked a clean break from both theological alignment and financial participation with Canterbury-led institutions.

Liberal Theology Triggers Outrage in Africa

Underlying the uproar is Mullally’s public embrace of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ blessings, positions seen as incompatible with Biblical authority by many global Anglicans, especially in Africa.

The Anglican Church in Nigeria was blunt, calling the appointment “devastating” and citing her 2023 remarks supporting same-sex blessings as deeply troubling to the Communion’s traditional base.

“More disturbing,” said Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba of Nigeria, “that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage.” He questioned how someone with such views “hopes to mend the already torn fabric” of the Communion.

Welby Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal Fallout

Mullally’s ascension follows the resignation of Justin Welby, who stepped down after damaging findings emerged from a sexual abuse inquiry involving an Anglican youth camp.

Investigators found Welby had failed to adequately protect children, casting a long shadow over his tenure. Critics have raised alarms about Mullally’s apparent alignment with Welby, fearing a continuation of moral and institutional failures.

This legacy of scandal, combined with progressive theology, helped fuel GAFCON’s decision to draw a line in the sand. For many, it was not simply about ecclesiastical power—but about truth.

Mullally Aims to Heal, Critics Dismiss It as Naïve

In her first public address, Mullally acknowledged the “deep harm and mistrust” within the church. She committed to listening to survivors and promoting safety, but many believe the damage has already been done.

“This will not be easy,” she said, referencing the Church’s “history of safeguarding failures.” Yet critics argue that theological clarity, not lofty slogans, is the way to genuine healing.

GAFCON, for its part, plans to host its own meeting of African and other conservative Churches in Abuja, Nigeria next year, a symbolic move signaling their independence from Canterbury’s influence.

“We Are the Communion,” Say Split Leaders

Mbanda declared with finality, “Today, GAFCON is leading the Global Anglican Communion... We are the Anglican Communion.” It may be a controversial claim—but it’s one backed by sheer numbers in the Global South.

The October 3 letter that foreshadowed this full break charged that the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office could no longer “function as a credible leader.” For GAFCON and its supporters, this is not rebellion—it’s restoration.

As progressive Anglicanism continues to redefine itself, it now faces a sobering question: can a church divided by doctrine ever be united by name?