March 6, 2026, Abuja, Nigeria

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I write to you today with gratitude and a sense of renewed clarity following an important and historic gathering of more than 400 Anglican leaders in Abuja, Nigeria. It has been a distinct privilege to join more than 50 bishops and clergy from North America, alongside leaders from all twenty-seven Anglican provinces, for GAFCON 26 (March 306) to prayerfully discuss and celebrate the emergence of a newly reordered Global Anglican Communion.

This morning, our Chairman, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, issued “The Abuja Affirmation”, a definitive statement about the decisions and affirmations from our time together. I commend to you a prayerful reading of this important statement. Additionally, I encourage every vestry, deanery, and diocese to read the full text of the Abuja statement.

As members of the ACNA, several points from Archbishop Mbanda’s message are particularly relevant to our shared life:

• A Confessional Identity: Our unity is found in our shared confession, the Jerusalem Declaration, rather than in institutional ties to the See of Canterbury
• Principled Disengagement: Our leaders are called to a clear separation from aspects of communion that have compromised the Gospel. We serve the Lord, not an institutional relic.
• The Global Anglican Council: We celebrate the election of Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as Chair, Archbishop Miguel Uchôa as Deputy Chair, and our own Bishop Paul Donison as General Secretary of this newly constituted Council.

Our collective and primary desire is to remain as faithful stewards of the Anglican doctrine and relationships that have been passed down to us for this generation and the next. The Abuja Affirmation confirms that we are not alone in this mission. We are part of a global household of faith that is apostolic in its foundation and global in its reach.

Prayers for the Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East

As we consider these global concerns, I am also mindful of the ongoing conflict involving Iran and escalating tensions across the Middle East. I invite you to join me in praying for the leaders of all the nations involved, for those in harm’s way, and for the restoration of tranquility in a land so close to the heart of God:

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth: that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer 2019)

Faithfully Yours in Christ,