Communiqué: A Council to Lead the Communion
Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda
Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda. Photo: GAFCON.

Author/editor(s): Gafcon
Creation: 5 Mar. 2026 The date of original creation or publication, if known
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Communiqué: A Council to Lead the Communion

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we develop new structures for the Global Anglican Communion, the Gafcon Primates have dissolved the Gafcon Primates Council, which has faithfully led and served the Gafcon movement since 2008.

In a world where most organizations and individuals are concerned about keeping power and authority, the Gafcon Primates Council has made an unprecedented decision to share its stewardship of the Global Anglican Communion by creating the Global Anglican Council which includes primates, advisors, and guarantors, which will include bishops, clergy, and lay members each with full voting privileges.

This expanded Council reflects the willingness of the Primates to share their authority with a wider group of global Anglican leaders, both lay and clergy. While the Chairman of the Council will be a Primate, he will not be primus inter pares (first amongst equals).

Believing that the current Instruments of Communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the Global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure. The Global Anglican Council has discerned that if we are to move past old structures, we must leave behind old titles as well.

I am also pleased to announce that Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Global Anglican Council, likewise Archbishop Miguel Uchoa was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman and myself, Bishop Paul Donison, as General Secretary. Our terms will conclude at the end of GAFCON V in Athens in 2028.

Furthermore, the Council determined that Primates who retire from their Provincial office between GAFCON Assemblies may remain on the Council until the conclusion of the next GAFCON Assembly.

Today is a historic day for the Global Anglican Communion.

Indeed, the future has arrived!

Yours in Christ,

The Rt Revd Paul Donison Gafcon General Secretary Thursday, March 5, 2026