GAFCON launches new Anglican mission society

The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) has announced the launch of a new society to provide support to orthodox Anglicans within the Church of England.

According to GAFCON, the Anglican Mission in England (AMIE) is "dedicated to the conversion of England and biblical church planting".

GAFCON said the society was "determined to stay within the Church of England" and work "as closely as possible" with its institutions.

AMIE is aimed at providing an effective structure that would allow orthodox Anglicans to remain within the Church of England rather than leave it, as some have chosen to do.

It consists of a steering committee and panel of bishops who will provide oversight in collaboration with senior clergy.

Its launch follows the release of a communiqué by the GAFCON Primates’ Council in May in which they spoke of providing greater support for those looking to remain within the Anglican Communion.

“We remain convinced that from within the Provinces which we represent there are creative ways by which we can support those who have been alienated so that they can remain within the Anglican family," the Primates said.

Orthodox Anglicans and churches are being invited to join or affiliate themselves with the AMIE, including those in impaired communion with their diocesan bishop who require oversight, or those who have good relations with their bishop but who wish to support others.

The society has been launched after more than four years of discussions with senior Anglican leaders in England about provision for Anglicans in need of orthodox oversight in the Church of England.

It was launched at a conference of evangelical Anglicans in London last week, during which three English clergy ordained in Kenya for “ministry in the wider Anglican Communion” were welcomed and prayed with by bishops and church leaders in support of their ministry.