³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

A group of Anglican leaders from around the world have rejected the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as their leader after the Church of England backed prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.

Earlier this month, the Church of England's national assembly voted to keep its ban on conducting same-sex weddings but did approve allowing priests to bless same-sex couples.

Now several Archbishops from the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) - a group that claims to represent the vast majority of Anglicans globally, particularly across Asia and Africa - have issued a strongly worded condemnation of the decision, saying they no longer recognise the head of the Church of England as their leader. The signatories include the GSFA's chair, Archbishop Justin Badi of South Sudan, along with the archbishops of Chile, the Indian Ocean, Congo, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Uganda, Sudan, Alexandria and Melanesia. It is the first time that the Archbishop of Canterbury's leadership has been rejected by such a large group of churches.

Tim Wyatt from the Church Times told Newshour that this is a major moment for the Anglican church.

(Picture: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby with bishops from around the world gather at the University of Kent in Canterbury Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Show less