Statement from the Synod of the Diocese of South America of the Free Church of England
At the Extraordinary Synod that took place yesterday, May 5, 2021, the Synod of the Diocese of South America unanimously approved a motion and resolution to leave the Free Church of England.
The decision was not easy; however, recent events have left the South American Diocese with no other option. The Synod has a total loss of confidence in the leadership of the FCE. The inertia towards our complaints, the lack of answers about our statements, and Bishop John Fenwick becoming our new bishop when we have declared in impaired communion have created an impossible situation to remain in the Free Church of England.
We cannot remain complicit in the abuses of power committed by Bishop John Fenwick’s leadership, the misconduct, the lack of transparency, and the disrespect for this church’s canons, doctrine, and worship. It has caused so much pain and resentment in the South American Diocese, reiterate our unanimous decision to leave the Free Church of England.
Our prayers and support go to our beloved brother and bishop, the Rt Rev Josep M Rossello-Ferrer, that has served the diocese faithfully and sacrificially for twelve years.
South American Diocese
Any word on who they will re-associate with? REC? ACNA? Someone else?
The most simple answer will be the Anglican Church of Brazil, who is GAFCON affiliated.
Unlikely. The FCE’s warmness toward GAFCON appears to be one of the causes of the break.
This diocese is Pro-GAFCON , this is not the problem, their bishop was at GAFCON in Nairobi. The main problem is that they are reformed anglicans and the bishop Primus was leading the FCE into anglo-catholicism. For the province of Brazil , they are more charismatic and egalitarian , so it’s make things difficult to join them, maybe they don’t have affinity too.
FCE is essentially the REC in the UK. By breaking with the FCE, they’ve just broken with the REC and ACNA.
I don’t think breaking with FCE will be counted as breaking with ACNA or REC.
Now they have lost an entire Diocese as well? This denomination appears to be down to just 17 churches – several of which I am informed are effectively closed, with no congregation and no services. All caused because the two remaining Bishops (Paul Hunt and John Fenwick) refused to answer questions about accounts which don’t add up, missing money from the sale of buildings and unethical governance. These are very dark days for the FCE. We pray for those who have left and now the Diocese of South America, as they seek a way forward.
Archbishop Foley Beach’s picture (surrounded by other GAFCON bishops) is at the banner of the actual homepage of the actual FCE website. Why there is so much speculation that this bishop and his parishes will flee to ACNA/GAFCONworld is beyond me.
I think that’s based on just one visit. ACNA hasn’t had any particular involvment with FCE so far as I am aware.
There have been complaints within FCE that clergy leaving the CofE have chosen to go to AMiE rather than to FCE. Some of these churches who leave FCE may do the same thing.