This press release is issued to inform the Anglican world that we strongly condemn the recent press statement released by Bishop Robert Gosselin and Archbishop Primus Vijaya Raju Gadepe of the Confessing Anglican Church concerning the leadership of GAFCON in India.

Archbishop Primus Vijaya Raju raised questions regarding the leadership of GAFCON India, and following those questions, Bishop Robert Gosselin issued a press statement after meeting with the General Secretary of GAFCON. As the General Secretary of GAFCON–ABCI (Anglican Bishops Council of India), I consider it necessary to clarify several critical points in response to Bishop Gosselin’s press release in “Anglican Ink” on October, 17-2025.

1. Authorisation of GAFCON–ABCI

The Most Rev. Archbishop Foley Beach officially authorised GAFCON–ABCI through a letter dated 20 February 2022 after a long exercise and on clear recommendations of their regional commissions headed by Bishop Bill and Bishop Glenn. There is clear documentary evidence. This authorisation letter is publicly available on the official GAFCON–ABCI website.

The Communion of Evangelical and Episcopal Churches in India (CEEC–India) and the Anglican Church of India came together and formally constituted GAFCON–ABCI as the recognised GAFCON body in India. We are unaware of why GAFCON Global has not updated Archbishop Foley Beach’s authorisation letter or the Indian Province details on the official GAFCON website. This omission appears to be the primary cause of the present confusion.

Importantly, GAFCON–ABCI has never received any formal communication from GAFCON Global indicating: the removal of GAFCON–ABCI from the Global GAFCON Communion, or the removal of Archbishop John Sathiyakumar from leadership in the Indian Province.

2. Lack of Authority of the Confessing Anglican Church

Neither Archbishop Vijaya Raju nor Bishop Robert Gosselin has any authority or standing to speak on behalf of GAFCON–ABCI.

Archbishop Vijaya Raju was originally one of the four Vice-Chairmen of GAFCON–ABCI at its formation in 2019. However, he was excommunicated from CEEC–India and GAFCON–ABCI following CEEC–India’s withdrawal of fellowship from the global CEEC.Church Communion.

Similarly, Bishop Robert Gosselin was detached from the fellowship of CEEC–India and GAFCON–ABCI when communion was formally broken. We were therefore deeply surprised to read Bishop Gosselin’s recent press release published in Anglican Ink addressing GAFCON leadership matters in India.

The Confessing Anglican Church has no ecclesial, canonical, or organisational connection with GAFCON–ABCI, and therefore holds no authority whatsoever to speak on matters relating to GAFCON India. It should also be noted that CEEC.Church was renamed the Confessing Anglican Church in 2025.

3. Attempts to Resolve the Confusion

The leadership of GAFCON–ABCI has made repeated attempts to contact:

The Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Primate of GAFCON Global, and

The Rt. Rev. Paul Donison, General Secretary of GAFCON Global

Our intention was to discuss and resolve the ongoing leadership confusion in a spirit of communion and transparency. Unfortunately, we have received no response from either the GAFCON Primus or the General Secretary. This silence has unfortunately contributed to the confusion and misinformation recently propagated by Bishop Gosselin and Archbishop Vijaya Raju.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we formally and unequivocally affirm to the Global GAFCON Communion that GAFCON–ABCI is the duly authorised and official body of GAFCON in the Indian Province.

So the new Primate of GAFCON- Global the Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda has to issue the orders for and on behalf of the primates council of GAFCON explaining whether accepting the existing leadership which was appointed by his predecessor and the primates council OR they have to propose the new leadership for GAFCON India. Abp John s Kumar and Bishop Vijaya Raju have consecrated number of Bishops and ordained priests and they have designated themselves as President and the Vice President of GAFCON ABCI. Both are acting as the leadership of GAFCON India right from the year 2019. There is ample evidence for this.

I don’t know how Bishop Primus of CAC Gadipe Vijaya Raju could accept if any body says that there is no leadership for GAFCON India . There is clear evidence that Abp John S Kumar and Bishop Vijay Raju has signed on many documents on behalf of GAFCON India.

So the press release of Bishop Robert Cosellin of CAC is not valid at all as he is not authorised to represent Gafcon or speak on behalf of Anglicans in India.

Only when Abp John Sathiya Kumar was dethroned from President ship of CEEC.Church Global by Vice President Bishop Vijaya Raju with the help of Bishop Robert Gosselin, the problems started.

So I request the Anglican world not to be carried away by the false claims / proclamations. I will give an other clarification regarding the status of Anglican Church in India.

We remain fully committed to the faith once delivered to the saints and to the mission and unity of the Global GAFCON movement. We are ready and willing to provide any further clarification or documentation should anybody require additional information from us.

Issued by:
Most Rev Dr John SDR Nakka
Secretary General
GAFCON–ABCI (Anglican Bishops Council of India)