Anglican Communion Faces Division as Conservatives Challenge Archbishop of Canterbury

The Anglican Communion is navigating a period of significant internal division, marked by the rise of conservative factions challenging the authority of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally. This challenge, centered in Africa, reflects a broader struggle over theological direction and the legacy of colonialism within the global Anglican Church.

The Abuja Declaration and the Global Anglican Council

In early March 2026, over 500 delegates, including archbishops and religious leaders from 27 countries, convened in Abuja, Nigeria, for the Global Anglican Conference on the Future (Gafcon). The conference culminated in the approval of the Abuja Declaration, a document outlining the formation of a new governance structure, the Global Anglican Council. This council is intended to replace the existing Gafcon Primates’ Council and effectively reorganize the Anglican Communion according to conservative principles.¹

The Rwandan Archbishop, Laurent Mbanda, will lead the new council, with the stated objective of addressing what conservatives perceive as a departure from biblical authority within historic Anglican provinces.¹

Sarah Mullally and the Breaking Point

The catalyst for this division is largely attributed to the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in January 2026.¹, ¹ While celebrated as a historic moment – making her the first woman to hold the position – her appointment is viewed by Gafcon leaders as emblematic of broader concerns, including the acceptance of women in the episcopate and openness towards blessing same-sex unions.¹, ²

Conservative leaders see these reforms as a betrayal of traditional biblical doctrine. The new Global Anglican Council aims to provide guidance for Churches aligned with these conservative views, potentially leading to a formal disengagement from the traditional structures centered in London.¹

Colonial Rhetoric and Shifting Demographics

The Gafcon movement frames its challenge as a rejection of what it perceives as a “colonial relationship” maintained by the Church of England towards African Churches, alleging attempts to impose Western progressive values.¹ This stance resonates with many in countries like Nigeria, Uganda and Rwanda, where defending tradition is seen as a form of resistance against cultural domination.¹

However, the Anglican Church in Africa is not uniformly conservative. While Gafcon has elected its own leadership, the Church of Kenya recently appointed its first female bishop, Emily Onyango, and the Church of South Africa has reaffirmed its support for Canterbury.¹

The Rise of Anglican Africa

A key factor driving this shift is the changing demographic landscape of the Anglican Communion. While churches in Europe are experiencing decline, Anglicanism is rapidly growing in Africa. Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya now represent some of the most dynamic and populous provinces within the Communion.¹

This demographic shift is also altering the center of power within the Communion. Gafcon, established in 2008, has capitalized on this structural change, building an infrastructure to represent the interests of the Global South and assert its autonomy from London.² The Global South is now positioned to lead the Anglican Communion’s 95 million faithful in a more conservative direction.¹