The board of Gafcon Australia, the local branch of the conservative network for conservative Anglicans has issued a statement on Reformation Day, October 31, in the wake of the Gafcon Primates (national leaders) declaring the Global Anglican Communion as a “reordering of the Anglican Communion”. The Australian statement “Reformation revisited” clarifies how Gafcon sees the sitiation for local Anglicans and the Anglican Church of Australia.
• While provinces (national churches) in the Global Anglican Communion are asked to no longer fund or take part in the Instruments of Communion (the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting), that does not apply to the Australian Church.
“The Anglican Church of Australia remains “in Communion” with the See of Canterbury by virtue of our Constitution. That can only be changed by the General Synod with the agreement of three quarters of all the Dioceses, including all five Metropolitan Dioceses [in the mainland capitals]. That is unlikely to occur in the near future. However, our ‘fellowship’ with Canterbury and other Anglican Churches has been seriously impaired for some time. Ten Australian Bishops chose not to attend the Lambeth Conference in 2022. A number of our Synods have withdrawn contributions to the Anglican Consultative Council by ceasing to contribute to the “Special Assessment” to the General Synod.”
• Gafcon Australia is a rallying point for Anglicans with traditional doctrine on human sexuality “We appreciate that there is not a uniform view about these matters across the Anglican Church of Australia. Some wish that our theology was more ‘progressive.’ Some support traditional biblical ethics around marriage but disagree with Gafcon’s strategies. While others are supportive of Gafcon’s position and strategy. Gafcon Australia has expressed its mind on marriage and matters of human sexuality and is
committed to promoting biblical orthodoxy.”
• While some Australian dioceses, like Sydney, have joined Gafcon, Anglicans both those who remain in and who have left the Anglican Church of Australia can join Gafcon and hence the Global Anglican Communion. “[Gafcon Australia] is also committed to providing an Anglican home for those who feel compelled to leave the ACA, through the Diocese of the Southern Cross. We continue to respect faithful Anglicans who differ from us in these debates and we continue to support faithful Anglicans who remain in revisionist dioceses as a witness to the truth of the gospel and the authority of Scripture.
The Boaord statement, issed by Peter Smith, the Chair of Gafcon Australia, welcomes supporters of Gafcon and those who are not to learn more during the national tour of Bishop Paul Donison, the General Secretary of Gafcon Global, next month.
Public meetings are planned for each State capital.
Tuesday, 18th November at 7.30pm – Melbourne: Ridley College, 170 The Avenue, Parkville, hosted by Fiona McLean
Wednesday, 19th November at 7:30pm – Hobart: Wellspring Anglican Church, 43-47 Grosvenor St, Sandy Bay, hosted by Stephen Carnaby.
Thursday 20th November *at 6pm – Perth: St Lawrence’s Anglican Church, 56 Viking Rd, Dalkieth, hosted by Peter Smith.
Friday 21st November at 7:30pm – Adelaide: St Bart’s Norwood, 77 Beulah Rd, Norwood, hosted by Kate Hamer.
Wednesday 26th November at 7:30pm – Sydney: Moore Theological College, 1 King St, Newtown, hosted by Mark Earngey.
Friday 28th November at 7:30pm – Brisbane: St Philip’s Rochedale, 270 Rochedale Rd, Rochedale, hosted by Peter Judge-Mears.