No primus for GAFCON – rebrands itself as the Global Anglican Council

A late night “movement of the Holy Spirit” led the leaders of GAFCON to shelve plans to elect a primus inter pares – first among equals – adopting a conciliar or committee style of leadership for conservative Anglicans – and to downplay the name Global Anglican Communion, rebranding itself as the Global Anglican Council.

The decision to avoid a confrontation with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion by not setting up rival structures perplexed the delegates, as the u-turn in structure and strategy appeared without warning.

On 5 March 2026, the Rt. Rev. Paul Donison read a statement at the time set for the announcement of the new primus to the G26 meeting gathered at St Matthias House in Abuja, Nigeria.  Instead of announcing the name of the new leader, Bishop Donison stated the GAFCON primates had “dissolved the Gafcon Primates Council” and had determined to “share its stewardship” of the Anglican reform movement by creating the Global Anglican Council. The new council’s membership would include bishops, clergy and lay leaders – each with the same voting rights and standing.

The chairman of the Council would be chosen from amongst the provincial primates, but he would not be a primus inter pares. Bishop Donison said this expanded leadership structure was an “unprecedented decision to share its stewardship” by the primates to a wider body. “The Global Anglican Council has discerned that if we are to move past old structures, we must leave behind old titles as well.”

The announcement appeared to deflate the mood of the meeting.  Questions about why the decision not to elect a primus was made in light of the conference’s stated goal to elect a primus were widely shared over lunch.  One bishop commented to Anglican.Ink did this mean he was now a Presbyterian? 

In a press conference held after the announcement, Bishop Donison introduced Archbishop Mbanda as the new chairman of the Global Anglican Council, and read the statement given to the conference. Bishop Donison and Archbishop Mbanda left the press conference and questions were taken by the Rev. Canon Justin Murff.

Asked to explain the shift of plans, Canon Murff stated the decision had been taken after prayer and discussion by the primates and GAFCON leaders – including archbishops and lay leaders participating via video links. He declined to move beyond the text of the communique.

Asked whether the Inter Anglican Standing Committee on Unity, Faith and Order revised Nairobi-Cairo statements, proposing a conciliar leadership structure for the Anglican Communion had influenced GAFCON’s decision, Canon Murff said the GAFCON leaders were aware of the new document, but it had no influence on last night’s decision.

The conference continues through Friday.