Bishop Primus Attends GAFCON G26 Forum in Abuja
Last week, Bishop Primus attended the G26 Forum of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Abuja, Nigeria. The week brought together bishops and Anglican leaders from across the world for a programme of meetings, worship services, and fellowship.
During the gathering, Bishop Primus was able to strengthen relationships across the global Anglican movement, forming new connections while also renewing longstanding friendships.
The forum officially opened on Tuesday evening with a service held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. The service included Holy Communion and featured a choir of more than 120 members. The platform party for the service included members of the GAFCON Primates’ Council, the body responsible for guiding the global fellowship of GAFCON churches.
One of the most striking moments of the week was the gathering of 347 bishops and 121 Anglican leaders representing 27 provinces from across the Anglican world. The scale of the assembly highlighted the breadth and diversity of the global Anglican community.
During the conference, Bishop Primus met Robert Gosselin, Archbishop of the Confessing Anglican Church the Right Revd Clement Sun Oo, GAFCON Regional Secretary for Asia, together with his wife Ethel Myat Myat Mon. They live and serve within the Anglican Province of Myanmar (Burma).
On Thursday evening, delegates enjoyed a celebration of cultural entertainment featuring traditional music and dance performed by a variety of groups. Bishop Primus also spent time with the Right Revd Manasses Okere of the Church of Nigeria. He also made connections with Archbishop Vijay Raju Gadepe of the Confessing Anglican Church in India, Bishop Olubunmi Akinlade and his wife, Bishop Stephen Fagbemi and Bishop Dr Olukayode, all of the Church of Nigeria.
The G26 Forum provided an important opportunity for Anglican leaders to worship together, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm their shared commitment to the gospel and the mission of the Church around the world. Bishop Paul’s presence ensured that the voice and witness of the Free Church of England were included among Anglican leaders from across the world as they met to strengthen fellowship and consider the future mission of the global Anglican movement.