Anglican Church

Conservative Anglican leaders meet to debate future

Article published on the 2008-06-24 Latest update 2008-06-25 09:28 TU

Leaders of the Anglican communion in Jerusalem for talks
(Credit: Reuters)

Conservative leaders of the Anglican church are currently in Jerusalem for a conference debating on the future of the church. At the forefront of discussion is the US Episcopal church's decision to consecrate an openly gay bishop in 2003. The Archbishops of Nigeria and Uganda have attacked this move.

Organisers say that more than 1,000 Anglicans from 25 nations are attending week-long Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). They claim that the conservative movement within the church makes up around half of the 77 million followers.

The conservatives have threatened to schism from their more liberal colleagues over the issue of homosexuality.

Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, the head of the conservative movement, characterized the current Anglican church as a 'state of brokenness.'

Jonathan Bartley, co-director of Ekklesia think tank in London told RFI that there was already a split.

"Now whether this actually leads to a complete parting of the ways where the churches have nothing to do with one another, which would be a complete schism. I think that's probably unlikely," said Bartley.

This conference is seemingly trying to rival the policy-making Lambeth Conference, which occurs every 10 years. It will be held in Canterbury, England from 20 July  to 4 August.