The conference 'commitment' at the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans leaders meeting in London promises action to strengthen biblical orthodoxy and mission throughout the Anglican Communion.

The FCA movement sprang from the Global Anglican Future Conference in Jerusalem, where the final statement declared GAFCON was ‘not just a moment in time but a movement of the spirit’.

200 Anglican leaders from 30 countries met at St Mark’s Battersea Rise in London for five days of prayer, planning and plenary sessions and by week's end committed themselves to mission and mutual support.

Photo: Bishop Glenn Davies reads the final statement and commitment

The opening address, given by GAFCON/ FCA Chairman Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya, told the delegates they were called to “a great prophetic purpose at this critical point in the life of our communion.”  He also declared “The heart of the crisis we face is not only institutional, but spiritual.”

“After some 450 years it is becoming clear that what some have called the ‘Anglican experiment’ is not ending in failure, but is on the verge of a new and truly global future in which the original vision of the Reformers can be realized as never before” the Archbishop said.
The delegates took part in seminars on topics including spiritual leadership under pressure,the Gospel, and economic aid and development,

At the start of the week, the Primates had called for the chair of the Anglican Communion Primates meetings to be elected, rather than the Archbishop of Canterbury calling and chairing every meeting.

 Photo: Bishop Michael Nazir Ali and other bishops at the Westminster Service

Later, in a plenary address, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali concluded that the Anglican “Instruments of Unity” have failed dramatically and that the FCA is called to model an alternative way for the churches of the Anglican Communion to gather and relate to one another in such a way as to carry out the Great Commission in the coming decades.

On the final day a conference 'Statement and Commitment’ was released.

In it, the leaders resolved to work together in an ever-strengthening partnership, to stand by each other and to engage in a battle of ideas on behalf of the Biblical Gospel.

Photo: Sydney's Dr Mark Thompson speaking with Bishop John Akao

GAFCON II was also announced. The conference is being planned for May 2013.

Archbishop Peter Jensen summed up the mood in the conference media release. “One delegate came up to me and said ‘Now I know that I am not alone’.  Though they are the majority, the orthodox often feel isolated.” he said. “There are people everywhere who believe the same gospel, preach the same thing and stand for the same truths. That is the dynamic of this conference. People who felt powerless have now been given confidence.”