The G26 press spokesman, the Rev. Canon Justin Murff, released the following statement in the wake of confusion surrounding the creation of a Global Anglican Council and its relation to the GAFCON movement and the wider Anglican Communion, and the hitherto expected title of Primus for the leader of the global Anglican reform movement:

“In a world where most organizations and individuals are concerned about keeping power and authority, the GAFCON Primates Council has made an unprecedented decision to share their stewardship of the Global Anglican Communion by creating the Global Anglican Council which includes primates, advisors, and guarantors, which includes bishops, clergy, and lay members each with full voting privileges.

“This expanded Council reflects the willingness of the Primates to share their authority with a wider group of Global Anglican leaders, both lay and clergy. While the Chairman of the Council will be a Primate, he will not be primus inter pares. Believing that the current instruments of communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the Global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure. The Global Anglican Council has discerned that if we are to move past old structures, we must leave behind old titles as well. “