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

Protestant and Catholic Newman

In this clearly written book, T.L. Holtzen explains why the complicated debates about the doctrine of justification before and after the Reformation still matter today.

S. African Priests Protest Rejection of Same-Sex Blessings

The Rev. Canon Chris Ahrends: “It’s time for a form of ‘civil disobedience’ within the church — call it ‘ecclesiastical disobedience’ — by clergy of conscience.”

St. David’s of Denton, Texas, Celebrates Larger Space

The Rev. Paul Nesta, rector: “We aren’t here today because a building was consecrated [in the 1950s]. We’re here because a people were consecrated and given good work to advance.”

Sydney Trims Marriage Ethic Pledge for School Leaders

The Diocese of Sydney’s synod has eliminated a controversial 2019 provision of its governance policy that required lay officials of diocesan-affiliated schools and aid agencies to profess their belief in a traditional ethic of sex and marriage.