The GAFCON primates, meeting in London after Easter, have urged bishops of the Church of England to provide clear leadership and biblical teaching in the face of new same-sex laws.

The primates, including leaders of some of the world's largest Anglican churches, released a seven-point statement covering areas such as the future of the movement, the same-sex laws in the UK, and recent attacks on Christians in various parts of the world.

The statement spoke about the momentum from last year's Nairobi conference and said GAFCON was emerging as an 'instrument of unity capable of gathering the majority of faithful Anglicans in communion globally'.

"We are now taking practical steps to heal, renew and revitalize the Communion for future mission by growing our membership, improving the frequency and range of our communication and setting up networks, which will equip us to fulfill the Great Commission" the statement said.

It also referred to peace efforts in South Sudan and Nigeria and other incidents including the recent earthquake in Chile and terrorist attacks in Kenya, expressing solidarity with Christians affected and prayer and material support for peace efforts.

The statement also touched on the Church of England, and a reported breach of church discipline in which it is claimed a hospital chaplain has been married in a same-sex 'wedding'.

"Meeting shortly after the recognition in English law of same sex marriage, which we cannot recognise as compatible with the law of God, we look to the Church of England to give clear leadership as moral confusion about the status of marriage in this country deepens. The Archbishop of Canterbury has rightly noted that the decisions of the Church of England have a global impact and we urge that as a matter of simple integrity, its historic and biblical teaching should be articulated clearly." the primates said. 

"We are particularly concerned about the state of lay and clerical discipline. The House of Bishops’ guidance that those in same sex marriages should be admitted to the full sacramental life of the church is an abandonment of pastoral discipline. While we welcome their clear statement that clergy must not enter same sex marriage, it is very concerning that this discipline is, apparently, being openly disregarded. We pray for the recovery of a sense of confidence in the whole of the truth Anglicans are called to proclaim, including that compassionate call for repentance to which we all need to respond in our different ways."

The statement also paid tribute to Archbishop Robert Duncan who is shortly to retire as the Primate of the Anglican Church in North America and looked forward to the next Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) planned for 2018. 

Photo: GAFCON Primates Council Chairman Archbishop Eliud Wabukala and Nigerian Primate, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh speaking at GAFCON 2013