Anglican Network in Europe College of Bishops meets in Wythenshawe, Manchester

Posted on February 26, 2026 
Filed under ANiE

Statement from The Anglican Network in Europe –

“The Bishops of the Anglican Network in Europe met at the AMC Cathedral Church of Restoration in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on 20th and 21st February 2026, kindly hosted by Bishop Gideon Ilechukwu and members of the congregation. We believe that the Lord spoke to us from his Word and from listening to each other, and united us around a vision for his church in Europe in which our Network has an important part to play.

Our studies in 1 Kings reminded us of God’s power in carrying out his sovereign purposes, pointing forward to Jesus building his church. From Acts 15 we remembered how leaders from different backgrounds came to a decision which they disseminated publicly – “It seems good to us and the Holy Spirit” – resulting in the mission of the Gospel to the world.

We heard from Bishop Tim Davies and Bishop Andy Lines about their recent visit to Rwanda and Uganda, where they met with Archbishops, Bishops and Provincial leaders. Bishop Andy’s time with Archbishop Laurent Mbanda in Rwanda involved learning about the challenges for the church in that country, as well as discussing the future relationship between ANiE and Gafcon. ANiE and the Church of Uganda recommitted to a mission partnership, with the aim of recruiting and sending gospel workers from Uganda to the spiritually dark continent of Europe, including the British Isles. Uganda will begin the process of selection, training and fundraising for this venture immediately. ANiE will identify host congregations who can host short term and long term missionaries from Uganda, and suitable mission projects.

Our dream is Europe renewed by the gospel – as Spirit-filled Anglican communities, diverse but united, shine the light of Christ into places of darkness; where new churches are planted; new leaders nurtured; and new dioceses formed; as God displays his multi-variegated wisdom through the renewed Global Anglican Communion (Ephesians 3:10).

With this in mind, the Bishops of the Anglican Network in Europe intend to:

a) Request Gafcon / the GAC to move towards recognising ANiE as a Province: the Anglican Church of Europe.

b) Make it clear that Presiding Bishop Andy Lines has the full support of all the bishops and other leaders of ANiE.

c) Request that at least one member of the Gafcon Global charity (GFCA) must be a member of ANiE.

d) Continue to lead planning to multiply missionary Dioceses in Europe.

e) Begin planning for a full ANiE Assembly to meet before the major G28 Gafcon Conference in Athens.

f) Ensure that we play a major role in the planning and hosting of G28.

g) Actively promote our vision among current and future leaders of ANiE, including through conferences and courses.

h) Support the development of our strategy and execution of communications.

Those of us preparing to represent ANiE at G26 in Abuja pray there will be a sense of the movement of the Holy Spirit in the establishment of a renewed Anglican Communion, and fresh commitment to unity based on the Jerusalem Declaration. We hope for clarity about the need to step away from the structures of failed and spiritually compromised institutions, and a vision about orthodox Anglican global mission articulated and communicated in ways that inspire to sacrificial service, especially the younger generation.

To God be the glory.
February 2026.

Note to Editors:
The Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) is the provision of the Primates’ Council (Archbishops) of Gafcon to provide a faithful ecclesial structure for historic, orthodox, biblical, confessional Anglicans within Europe.

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