Consecration Service

New missionary bishops for a growing Anglican Network

On October 21^st the Anglican Network in Europe plans to celebrate the consecration of three new bishops, with a further bishop to be consecrated in 2023. They will assist Bishop Andy Lines as he leads the growing alternative to Canterbury-aligned structures in Europe.

Over the past two years the Anglican Network in Europe, with its two constituent Convocations – the Anglican Convocation in Europe (ACE) and the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) – have grown, with new congregations and mission initiatives being formed in Wales, Scotland, continental Europe and England. Individuals and families have found faith in Christ, and mature believers have found a hope and a home in historic, orthodox, biblical, confessional Anglicanism.

The clergy have also found proper support and encouragement, accountability and oversight from a highly relational model of episcopacy which includes opening the Bible and praying with the Bishop week by week.

In order to maintain this relational episcopacy and provide for continuing growth, both AMiE and ACE will have two additional bishops who will serve the wider Convocation in addition to their local pastoral responsibilities.

The names of the two AMiE bishops, Tim Davies and Lee McMunn, were announced in June; whilst the names of the two ACE bishops, Ian Ferguson and Stuart Bell were announced following the ACE synod in October. Stuart’s previous commitment to serving at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem this autumn means his consecration will be delayed until sometime in 2023.

Archbishop Ben Kwashi, General Secretary of Gafcon, said: “The election and appointment of these servants of Christ is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in the mission.”

The consecration service for Tim Davies, Lee McMunn, and Ian Ferguson will take place in Hull on 21^st October, led by Bishop Andy Lines and Archbishop Foley Beach, Primate of the Anglican Church in North America and Chairman of the Gafcon Primates’ Council.