Icon (Close Menu)

12 Parishes Depart from Province

Twelve New Zealand parishes have founded a new Gafcon diocese and chosen a bishop.

“By the grace of God we are a new Anglican Diocese in these Islands, standing firmly in Anglican faith and practice, and structurally distinct from the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia,” the group said in a statement released May 17.

The group said it has elected the Rev. Jay Behan, vicar of St. Stephen’s Church in Christchurch, as its founding bishop.

Gafcon’s Primates’ Council said in its most recent communiqué: “The Council gladly endorses the new Diocese, recognizes it as authentically Anglican, declares itself to be in full communion and celebrates our common life. The Council encourages the participation of Gafcon bishops in the consecration of the new Bishop, once duly elected for the Diocese.”

John Martin

Matt Townsend
Matt Townsend
Matthew Townsend is the former news editor of The Living Church and former editor of the Anglican Journal. He lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Top headlines. Every Friday.

MOST READ

CLASSIFIEDS

Most Recent

Discover Anew the Light and Glory of God

I found these volumes on Christmas and Epiphany to offer a depth of insight in slim volumes on seemingly well-known anchors in the calendar.

Church Center Fully Divests from Fossil Fuels

The total divestment, which came three weeks ahead of deadline, applies to $400 million in trust funds managed directly by the Episcopal Church. The Church Pension Fund, dioceses, and parishes are exempt.

Former Archbishop’s Disappearance Spreads Fear in Nigeria

The retired Archbishop of the Province of the Niger has been missing since December 6, raising Christians’ concerns about whether he was kidnapped.

Bradley, Burton, Lees

Remembering Martha J. Bradley, J. Michael Burton, and Everett Cooper Lees