Divisions within the Anglican Church are deepening as conservative clergy move to appoint a rival global leader just weeks before the installation of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
Clerics from the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon), a conservative Anglican movement, have gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, to choose their own “first among equals” in open opposition to Sarah Mullally, who was confirmed in January as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. Her formal installation is scheduled for later this month in England.
Mullally’s appointment marks a historic moment for the Anglican Communion, which comprises nearly 95 million worshippers worldwide. But it has also exposed sharp theological and cultural fault lines, particularly in parts of Africa, where many conservative Anglicans reject the idea of women serving as bishops.
At Lagos’s Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, worshippers reflected those divisions. While the service blended traditional Anglican hymns with energetic local worship styles, opinions among congregants varied widely. Some welcomed Mullally’s leadership, arguing that spiritual calling transcends gender. Others insisted that church leadership should remain exclusively male, citing biblical precedent.
As Archbishop of Canterbury, Mullally will not only lead the Church of England but also serve as the symbolic spiritual head of the global Anglican Communion. Although the role carries no direct authority over the Communion’s 42 autonomous provinces, it has long been central to maintaining unity across the church.
That unity is now under serious strain.
Gafcon, formed in 2008 amid disagreements over same-sex relationships, has increasingly distanced itself from Canterbury. In 2023, it formally rejected the authority of Mullally’s predecessor, Justin Welby, over proposals to bless same-sex couples—views Mullally also supports.
Now, by electing its own global leader, Gafcon risks pushing the Anglican Church toward a full schism. Church historian Diarmaid MacCulloch described the move as effectively creating a break, even if Gafcon avoids using that language.
“This is a set of leaders asserting an identity that no longer reflects the diversity of Anglican churches worldwide,” he said.
While Gafcon claims to represent the majority of Anglicans globally, that assertion is disputed. Although it draws significant support from Africa, Anglican views on the continent are far from uniform. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa and Kenya’s first female bishop, Emily Onyango, both welcomed Mullally’s appointment.
Critics also note that despite Gafcon’s rhetoric about resisting Western influence, many of its organisers are based in the United States and Australia.
In October last year, Gafcon announced it would no longer recognise the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury or participate in Anglican Communion meetings, claiming instead to be the “true” Anglican Communion. The upcoming election of its own global leader is seen by many as an escalation that could make reconciliation nearly impossible.
The Anglican Communion, which operates without a formal constitution, is held together by shared traditions and four “Instruments of Communion,” historically led by Canterbury. One of those bodies, the Anglican Consultative Council, is set to meet in June to discuss reforms aimed at better reflecting the church’s global makeup—though Gafcon members will not attend.
Anthony Poggo, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, said any church wishing to leave should do so through established processes rather than unilateral actions. Still, he acknowledged that the Communion has limited power to enforce unity when groups refuse to engage.
“It saddens us,” he said.
Despite the growing rift, some Anglicans in Nigeria say maintaining ties with Canterbury remains important, even amid disagreement. Youth pastor Alexander Olasinde warned that ongoing division risks undermining the church’s shared mission.
“If we keep going this way,” he said, “we’ll be left with grudges and unresolved issues. And then how do we move forward together?”
