The following letter was written and signed by 15 ‘Primates’ (Regional Archbishops) from Africa, South America, and the Pacific Rim. They represent more than 2/3 of all Episcopalians/Anglicans in the world.

FROM: The Global South of the Anglican Communion Secretariat:

37 St Paul Road, Vacoas, Mauritius

http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/

TO: The Rt Hon the Lord Luce KG, GCVO Chairman,

Crown Nominations Commission

20 July 2012

The Global South of the Anglican Communion, comprising more than fifty-five million of the eighty million members of the Anglican Communion, deeply appreciate our historical relation with the See of Canterbury. We therefore commend the following to the Crown Nominations Commission for your serious consideration.

It is the reality of the Anglican Communion in the 21st Century that the majority of Anglicans are found within the Global South, especially in Africa. Resulting from the faithful witness of Western missionaries over the past two hundred years, Anglicans today stand in worship and witness amidst diverse cultures, among ancient traditions and often in inter-religious tensions.

As noted in the media release of the Church of England on the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, one of his responsibilities is to be “the Focus of Unity of the Anglican Communion… primus inter pares among the bishops.” This role calls for the new Archbishop of Canterbury to always act in a conciliar and collegial manner with his fellow Primates because his decisions will affect the life and witness of Provinces worldwide.

The new Archbishop of Canterbury should have the experience and cross-cultural sensitivity to understand the concerns and conflicts in the worldwide Communion. Ho has to be able to communicate effectively with, and gain the respect and confidence of, his fellow Primates in the Global South. He has to be able, together with his fellow Primates, to more effectively restructure the Anglican Communion Office and the Anglican Consultative Council to better serve the Communion.

At a time when the Christian faith faces challenges from other religious as well as secular worldviews, the new Archbishop of Canterbury must be committed to uphold the orthodoxy of the Christian “faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3), To fulfill his calling and vow as Guardian of Faith, he must have the capacity to collectively put into effect the decisions taken at Lambeth Conferences and Primates Meetings, especially on issues that have led to the present crisis in the Communion.

To secure the future and the unity of the Communion at a foundational level, the new Archbishop of Canterbury has to work with his fellow Primates to address the ecclesial deficit of the Anglican Communion highlighted in the report of the Windsor Continuation Group.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is also responsible to work with ecumenical partners for the unity of the “one holy catholic and apostolic Church”. The new Archbishop of Canterbury must be able to build upon the work of his predecessors while avoiding any further actions that may widen the gap between us and these partners.
In conclusion, the Global South Primates expect to be consulted on this decision of great importance for the Communion, and look forward eagerly to the new Archbishop of Canterbury to uplift God’s people in the Anglican fold worldwide in obedience to God’s Word.

We wholeheartedly pray and hope that the unity of our beloved Anglican Communion will be restored and strengthened.

Faithfully in Christ,

/S/ Most Rev Dr Mouneer Anis Primate,

The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & Middle East Chairman,

Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Nicholas Okoh Primate,

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Vice-Chairman,

Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Ian Ernest Primate,

The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean Honorary Secretary,

Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Bolly Lapok Primate,

The Church of the Province of South East Asia Honorary Treasurer,
Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Stephen Than Primate,

The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma) Member,

Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Henri Isingoma Primate,

Province de I’Eglise Anglicane du Congo Member,

Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Daniel Deng Primate,

The Episcopal Church of the Sudan Member, Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev Dr Elind Wabukla Primate,

The Anglican Church of Kenya Member,

Global South Primates Steering Committee

/S/ Most Rev David Vunagi Primate,

The Church of the Province of Melanesra

/S/ Most Rev Joseph Kopapa Primate,

The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea

/S/ Most Rev Onesphore Rwaje Primate,

Province de l’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda

/S/ Most Rev Bernard Ntahouri Primate,

the Anglican Church of Burundi

/S/ Most Rev Valentino Mokiwa Primate,

The Anglican Church of Tanzania

/S/ Right Rev Dr Chad Gandiyh

Representing the Primate of The Church of the Province of Central Africa

/S/ Right Rev Dr Johannes Seoka

Representing the Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa

/S/ Right Rev Matthias Medadues-Badohu

Representing the Primate of The Church of the Province of the West Africa

/S/ Right Rev Peter Bartlett

Representing the Primate of Iglesia Anglicana del Cono Sur de America

CC: Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan Primate

representing the Anglican Communion, Crown Nominations Commission

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