Following their November 25-28, 2015, meeting, the House of Bishops of the Anglican Province of South Sudan and the Sudan, announced that they have formally recognized the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

They also recommended that the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul, Archbishop of the Church of South Sudan and the Sudan, forge a closer relationship with the Anglican Church in North America.

The decision to recognize the Anglican Church in North America was made in conjunction with a decision to end formal ties with The Episcopal Church (TEC). In a letter published following their meeting, the Sudanese House of Bishops pointed in particular to two resolutions passed by The Episcopal Church this past summer that redefine marriage. “In our view such innovations are not in conformity with the Scriptures,” the bishops wrote.

The Sudanese House of Bishops recommended that their Provincial Synod sever their relationship with The Episcopal Church and any other province or diocese that approves liturgies for the blessing of same sex relationships.

In addition, the bishops noted that there are Sudanese “diaspora congregations” that are originally from the Church of South Sudan and the Sudan, but are currently under TEC dioceses and parishes that support same-sex blessings and marriages. The Sudanese House of Bishops encouraged these congregations to join the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) wherever possible.

Archbishop Foley Beach commended the Sudanese House of Bishops, “Despite the ravages of war and the suffering of their people, they are courageously committed to standing on the historic teachings of the Bible and Anglican Church. I look forward to deepening our partnership for the cause of Jesus Christ.”