Anglican Leader Warns Against Forming New Conservative Council

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

LONDON — The spiritual leader of the world’s Anglicans raised questions yesterday about the legitimacy of plans to create a global network of conservative Anglicans that would challenge his authority and the teachings of liberal North American churches.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, said the proposal to form a separate global council of conservative bishops who will train priests and interpret Scripture would create more problems than it solves.

A council “which consists of only a self-selected group … will not pass the test of legitimacy for all in the Communion,” he said.

The plan emerged from a weeklong meeting in Jerusalem of conservative Anglican bishops, clergy, and lay people from Africa and some North American and British churches. In a declaration Sunday, they announced plans for the fellowship as a “church within a church,” stopping short of a complete break with the communion.

Conference participants expressed outrage at what they consider a “false gospel” that has led churches in America, Canada, and elsewhere to accept gay relationships. Long-standing divisions over how Anglicans should interpret the Bible erupted in 2003 when the American Episcopal Church, the Anglican body America, consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use