GAFCON

With all the troubles in the Anglican Communion at the moment, and ahead of the Lambeth Conference in a few days’ time, a number of archbishops, bishops, clergy and laypeople gathered in Jerusalem for the first meeting of what they have called GAFCON: Global Anglican Future Conference.

The move has met with many different reactions, from condemnation to welcome with open arms.   One of the best articles I have read about it is by Andrew Goddard on the Fulcrum website.   He recognises the various strengths and weaknesses of the GAFCON statement, and suggests various things that now need to happen as we move forward.

Perhaps one of the most important things that has come out of the GAFCON meeting is what appears to be a firm commitment to the reform of the Anglican Communion, rather than the creation of an entirely new communion.   How this works out in practice, as Andrew Goddard says, remains to be seen, but it is encouraging that GAFCON has aligned itself in that direction.

Let us hope that the Lambeth Conference finds a genuine and helpful way forward.   The current Anglican crisis must be dealt with one way or another, or everyone’s hand will be forced by extremists, from either side.