Anglican Communion fractures as nine churches break from England over theology

The Anglican Communion faces deepening divisions after nine member churches cut ties with the Church of England over theological disputes. The rift follows the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th archbishop of Canterbury, a move criticised by conservative factions. Meanwhile, a former Anglican bishop has warned of a possible wave of conversions to the LDS Church amid the growing split.

The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) has distanced itself from the Church of England, accusing it of embracing 'unbiblical and revisionist teachings' on marriage and sexuality. The group, which claims to represent at least half of the world's 85 million Anglicans, includes major provinces such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, India, Pakistan, and the Anglican Church in North America. Their breakaway comes after the Church of England's decision to appoint its first female archbishop of Canterbury, a step GAFCON strongly opposes.

In response to the growing divide, Msgr. Michael Nazir-Ali—a former Anglican bishop who converted to Catholicism in 2021—has suggested that orthodox Anglicans are unlikely to remain within the increasingly liberal Church of England. Ordained as a Catholic priest under the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, he argued that any hope of reuniting Anglican and Mormon traditions now seems impossible without a miracle. His comments follow King Charles III's historic ecumenical visit to Vatican City, where he attended a prayer meeting in the Sistine Chapel.

The split has left the Anglican Communion, which consists of 40 member churches, more fragmented than ever. Conservative provinces have aligned with GAFCON, rejecting what they see as a departure from traditional biblical teachings. The appointment of Mullally, a supporter of liberal reforms, has only intensified the division, pushing some Anglicans toward alternative spiritual paths.

The Church of England now faces a reduced global presence as nine major provinces sever ties. Conservative Anglicans, dissatisfied with liberal shifts, may increasingly look to Catholicism or other traditions. The long-term impact on the Anglican Communion's unity and influence remains uncertain.