The Primates Council of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans has issued a pastoral letter after a meeting in Dar es Salaam.

The members of the council gathered in Tanzania and noted 'the blessing of God in a number of key areas' but also the 'costly struggles' of Christians.

The letter talks about progress in the work of the Fellowship, including plans for a second Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in October 2013. It's understood primates are aiming to hold the meeting in Athens, but the venue is not yet confirmed.

Primates said "we witnessed the blessing of God in a number of key areas - In the increase of our numbers; through the achievements of our April meeting (the FCA leaders meeting in London); by the testimonies of those who are joining with us; in the new funding provided for our communication efforts; through our decision to meet again in a Global assembly; and by the recognition that we are not alone in this spiritual battle."

Joining the council was the Most Reverend Henri Isingoma, Primate of the Anglican Church of the Congo, the newest member of the Primates’ Council. The council said of Isingoma "We are thankful for his faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his embrace of the tenets of the Jerusalem Declaration and his enthusiastic support for the work of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans."

At the same time, the letter said that during the meeting the Primates "were vividly reminded of the costly struggles of so many of our fellow Christians, whether facing violent persecution, natural disaster or spiritual conflict with competing ideologies." The Primates  said those struggles had shaped their intention for GAFCON2 "to stand in solidarity with all of our oppressed sisters and brothers and to study the theme of declaring the gospel of God ‘in the midst of much conflict’ (1Thessalonians 2:2)".

There was also a renewed commitment to the theological work of the movement.

"At its heart we are engaged in a spiritual and theological struggle and we were unanimous in our commitment to renew the FCA Theological Commission with Provincial representation and a revised mandate that will provide theological resources to address areas of current concern" the Primates said.

The Primates also supported the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and its Bishop Mark Lawrence, who recently broke with the Episcopal Church because of the actions of its liberal leadership.

In a separate letter to Bishop Lawrence, Council chairman Archbishop Eluid Wabukala of Kenya and the General secretary, Sydney Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen, said "We are grieved, however, by the attitude and actions of the leadership of The Episcopal Church and their efforts to demand canonical obedience through unjust means to their ungodly agenda. As we have made clear in the Jerusalem Declaration we reject their authority and call on them to repent and return to the Lord".

The letter, published on the diocesan website, said "Please know that we continue to recognise you as a faithful Anglican bishop and the Diocese of South Carolina as part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We stand with you in the battle and are confident that this time of trial will result in great blessing. Please do greet your people on our behalf and assure them of our love and prayers."