The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has welcomed the election of a new Primate of the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA).

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Foley Beach of the Diocese of the South (pictured) was elected by the House of Bishops at the conclusion of a three-day conclave in Pennsylvania. He will succeed the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, the first archbishop for the Anglican Church in North America.

The new archbishop will serve a five-year term and is eligible for re-election.

"I am delighted by this election and how the College of Bishops, after much deliberation and prayer, came to a unanimous decision,” said Archbishop Robert Duncan.  “This is a happy day for the Anglican Church in North America, a happy day for the Anglican Communion, and a happy day for the Christian Church.”

According to an official release from ACNA, Archbishop-elect Beach served as the Rector and Pastor of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Loganville, GA, from its founding in 2004 until 2013. In 2010, he was consecrated in Atlanta, Georgia as the first Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the South in the Anglican Church in North America. Dr. Beach is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the School of Theology at the University of the South, and Georgia State University. He has served in ministry with Young Life, the Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Church.

Dr Davies attended Evensong with the ACNA bishops in Pennsylvania, where the decision was announced.

"Bishop Foley will be a strong conservative voice within this newly formed province, among the GAFCON Primates and throughout the Anglican Communion. He is a man who has stood firm for the gospel in difficult circumstances, and has not been afraid to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints." Dr Davies said.

Pictured: Archbishop Davies and Dr Beach, soon after the election was announced. (Photo:Andrew Gross, ACNA)