The Anglican Communion has released a draft set of measures aimed at addressing divisive contemporary issues, including the ordination of women and the treatment of same-sex marriage within its global network spanning 165 countries. The proposals also recommend changes to the responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Titled The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals: Renewing the Instruments of the Anglican Communion, the document outlines a restructuring plan to better reflect the diversity and global nature of the Anglican Church. It was prepared by the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith, and Order (IASCUFO) after a consultative process that began in 2022 in Nairobi. The proposals were later discussed at the Commission’s annual meeting in Cairo in December 2023 before being published in December 2024.
IASCUFO Chair, Rev. Dr. Graham Tomlin, stated that the proposals emerged from extensive consultations across theological and cultural perspectives. “This paper is the result of deep listening and honest dialogue on the issues that divide us. It presents a way forward that all Commission members can support,” he said.
At its core, the proposal urges the Anglican Communion to “reclaim its foundational ideals, rooted in Scripture and the ancient faith of the Church” while fostering unity and open discussion on contentious issues.
One key recommendation is a review of the 1930 Lambeth Conference Statement, which defines the nature and status of the Anglican Communion. The revised principles reaffirm that Anglican churches:
- Uphold and propagate the Catholic and Apostolic faith and order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.
- Are autonomous and encourage local expressions of Christian faith, life, and worship.
- Remain bound together through shared inheritance, mutual service, and their historic connection with the See of Canterbury.
Another major proposal seeks to redefine leadership structures within the Anglican Communion. The Commission recommends changes in how meetings of the Instruments of Communion—such as the Lambeth Conference, the Primates’ Meeting, and the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC)—are convened and led. Notably, the Archbishop of Canterbury would no longer be required to chair all Communion-wide meetings. Instead, a more collaborative and globally representative leadership model is proposed. While the Archbishop’s pastoral role remains unchanged, responsibilities would be shared more widely.
The Anglican Communion has faced increasing divisions in recent years, with tensions escalating in 2024. In October, a statement by former Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, in support of same-sex relationships sparked controversy. The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) publicly distanced itself from the Church of England and rejected Archbishop Welby’s leadership, arguing that his stance contradicted biblical teachings. GAFCON, a coalition committed to upholding traditional Christian doctrines, condemned his position as an attack on biblical authority.
Further controversy arose in November 2024 when Rev. Justin Welby resigned amid criticism over his handling of a sexual abuse case involving John Smyth, a deceased figure accused of abusing numerous young men in the 1970s and 1980s.
As the Nairobi-Cairo proposals move toward consideration, adoption, and potential implementation ahead of the 19th Anglican Consultative Council meeting in 2026, church leaders hope they will serve as a unifying framework during a period of uncertainty and division.
“Even in moments of disagreement, there is always an opportunity for dialogue and mutual respect,” said Most Rev. Dr. Sammy Sheheta, Primate of the Province of Alexandria and an IASCUFO member. “I pray for open hearts and minds in seeking common ground and solutions that benefit us all.
