Yesterday, Gafcon Primates, joined by other archbishops and bishops representing the majority of the Anglican Communion, joined the Anglican Church in North America’s College of Bishops to consecrate The Rev. Canon Andy Lines as a missionary bishop for Anglicans in Scotland, the UK, and Europe who are outside the official structures of those provinces.

The consecration took place in Edman Chapel, on the campus of Wheaton College close to Chicago, Illinois. The service concluded the “Mission on Our Doorstep” conference which drew over 1,400 Anglican leaders from around North America and the world. In attendance from outside North America were 11 Primates, 3 Archbishops, and 13 bishops.

In his sermon, The Most. Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, emphasized that the global church was taking this action and standing with Bishop Lines:

“You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…  Remember you are not alone.  You have not sent yourself.  All these people here have come to say, ‘Amen’ to the mission that has been entrusted to you.”

Bishop Richard Condie of Tasmania travelled the furthest to show his diocese’s support:

“We are a long way away from the Scottish Church, and from the things that have unfolded in Europe in recent days, but we stand in solidarity with our Anglican brothers and sisters from around the world.”

Earlier in the week, Archbishop Beach shared the unique role that the United States and Scotland have shared in the birth, and now reformation, of the Anglican Communion:

“After the American revolution, the new Anglican Church here – then called the Protestant Episcopal Church – could not get the establishment in England to provide a bishop.

It was the Scots who came to the rescue and consecrated Samuel Seabury in 1784 as the first American Bishop.  It is a privilege to now return the favor to those in Scotland who are crying out for oversight.”

Archbishop Ntagali turned the gathering’s attention to the future:

“Now is the time for unity.  Unity defined by the Gospel.  Gafcon today represents a clear majority of the world’s Anglicans and our sights are now set on Jerusalem 2018.  The theme will be ‘Proclaiming Christ Faithfully to the Nations.’”

You can see video of the consecration at www.AnglicanChurch.net

Media Contact:
The Rev. Canon Andrew Gross
+1 269-214-2979
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