- Representatives from nine GSFA Provinces participated in ACC-19 in Belfast, and GSFA Primates Archbishop Titus Chung (South East Asia) and Archbishop Samy Shehata (Alexandria) attended as members of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO). We express our sincere gratitude to the Church of Ireland for its warm hospitality and for the opportunity to visit inspiring places of historic significance in the life of the Irish Church.
- The GSFA Provinces were present in accordance with the decision of the GSFA Primates at their meeting in Seychelles, recognising that the main topic of discussion, the IASCUFO Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, represent a new realism in addressing the fragmentation of the Communion. Delegates supported the continuation and development of their important work.
- Similarly, they were encouraged by Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s acknowledgment that the Communion is fractured, as an important step to rebuilding trust. She noted that “As we have considered the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals this week, we have acknowledged the pain caused by our differences and divisions. I also hear and feel deeply the pain of those who would describe themselves as not being in communion with the See of Canterbury”.
- This pain was felt personally by GSFA members and others who took a conscientious decision not to share in eucharistic fellowship in line with the GSFA’s impaired communion with those Provinces that have departed from the Communion's historic teaching on marriage.
- Throughout the meeting GSFA delegates, together with other orthodox Anglicans, consistently emphasised that real unity requires more than the recommendations of the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals for updating the description and structure of the Communion. These cannot by themselves resolve the underlying doctrinal disagreements that continue to impair communion.
- It is therefore heartening that an amendment to the ACC Standing Committee’s resolution on the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals was passed which included the acknowledgement that while we rejoice to be ‘called to one hope’ (the theme of ACC-19), ‘our present divisions in the Anglican Communion are partly caused by disagreements about the ‘one faith’’ (Ephesians 4:4-6).
- We congratulate Mr Joaquin Philpotts of the Province of South America, who proposed the amendment, on his election to the Standing Committee. However, we are concerned that none of the African nominees for the Standing Committee were elected. As a result, Africa, the continent that is now home to the majority of the world's Anglicans, has no elected representation. We respectfully encourage the ACC to consider how future election processes might better reflect the demographic reality of today's Anglican Communion.
- While we believe our presence at ACC-19 had a positive impact and we are open to continued engagement with IASCUFO about the development of the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, we know that our identity as orthodox Anglicans does not ultimately depend upon decisions of the instruments of communion, but upon our common commitment to the Catholic and Apostolic faith as it is affirmed in the 2019 Cairo Covenant. This gives us a firm and hopeful place to stand within the Anglican Communion as we continue to bear faithful witness to the ‘one faith’.
Archbishop Justin Badi, Primate of South Sudan (Chairman)
Archbishop Samy Shehata, Primate of Alexandria (Deputy Chairman)
Archbishop Titus Chung, Primate of South East Asia (Hon. Secretary)
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