The GAFCON group has launched an international training school for new bishops, the Primate of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh announced last week. In a letter published on 30 Sept 2016, Archbishop Okoh – the chairman of the conservative GAFCON coalition of provinces – said its first class had begun meeting in Nairobi under the tutelage of the retired Bishop of Taita Taveta, the Rt. Rev. Samson Mwaluda. Twenty newly consecrated bishops were attending the conference he said, and “we already have a waiting list for our next conference.” The GAFCON bishop’s training school is being offered as an alternative to those provided by the Anglican Consultative Council and the American and Canadian churches. Archbishop Okoh stated he thanked “God that we are taking this step because the potential of leadership, for good or for bad, is very great. We see this truth in the life of Jesus. Much of his earthly ministry was devoted to teaching and training disciples and his most severe warnings of future judgement were spoken to religious leaders who twisted the Scriptures and served their own interests.” Bad bishops were one of the most pressing issues facing the Anglican Communion. “[A]s Anglicans who hold to the historic episcopate, we look especially to our bishops to set wholesome examples as shepherds and overseers of the flock of God. Along with Christ-like character, we also expect our bishops to be able to teach and preach the Word of God fearlessly and faithfully. They are to guard the apostolic inheritance not only through the ministry of the word, but also by ordination as they entrust that ministry to those ‘who will be able to teach others also’ after sound and thorough training.” He stated: “Ungodly bishops have caused grievous tears in the fabric of the Communion, but godly bishops are being raised up to enable a reformed and renewed Anglican future with Bible at its heart. The GAFCON Bishops Training Institute serves this vision by equipping newly consecrated bishops to be courageous and discerning guardians of the faith.”
