GAFCON – the Australian dimension

In April over 1,300 Anglican delegates from all over the world gathered in Rwanda made a historic decision to dissociate themselves from the Archbishop of Canterbury (traditionally seen as the leader of the Anglican Church), the Lambeth Conference and the Anglican Consultative Council – collectively known as ‘the instruments of communion’.

The Kigali Commitment has the potential to be one of the most significant documents in modern church history. After all, the delegates represent over 85% of the 80 million worldwide Anglicans. But the BBC clearly did not regard it as a major story – their ‘Sunday’ programme did not mention it at all.

But what does it mean for Australia? Sydney Anglicans are a key part of GAFCON and played a significant role in the conference. The main Australian influence was on the statement of the writing committee. Sydney is acknowledged for providing a lot of theological weight – not least through their Moore College. But they also provided a large number of volunteers. Their Archbishop, Kanishka Rafaal, has been appointed one of the two vice chairs (along with the Primate of Brazil). The Primate of Rwanda was made the chair of GAFCON.

The Sydney diocese is the largest and most influential diocese within the Australian Anglican church. They are unusual in the Western English-speaking world in that they are the only large diocese which is almost entirely evangelical. In Australia the Kigali statement will make little difference because the association between the different Anglican dioceses is quite loose.

However, Sydney has a global intent. Through its major aid agency, Anglican Aid, it offers aid throughout the world, but especially in Africa. Sydney Anglicans will continue to play a major role in GAFCON and its alliance with the Global South movement.

There are many dangers that lie ahead. Not least the dangers that all successful ministries face – pride, hubris, imbalance, defensiveness and power. But the rest of the world church should be thankful that God has raised up this remarkable diocese for ‘such a time as this’. The future of global Anglicanism is going to be largely African, but there will be a strong Asian, American (North and South) and Australian favour. In the past, Anglican missionaries from England went throughout the world to spread the gospel. May it be that, in the providence of God, the continuing fruit of their ministry will result in Anglican missionaries from the Global South returning to re-evangelise England.