ABUJA — The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) has formally announced the dates for its upcoming five-yearly worldwide gathering, GAFCON V, scheduled to take place in Athens, Greece, from April 23 to April 28, 2028.
This announcement was made on Friday in an official pastoral letter from the Rt Revd Paul Donison, the General Secretary of the Global Anglican Council, marking the 18-month countdown to the conference.
The decision to convene in Greece follows the Abuja declaration made during the G26 Conference in Abuja earlier this year.
Set to begin one week after Easter Sunday, the Athens assembly represents the first large-scale global convening of orthodox Anglicans since the adoption of the Abuja Affirmation, Donison noted.
Bishop Paul noted that thousands of delegates—including lay leaders, clergy, and bishops representing member provinces, dioceses, and regional branches worldwide are being expected at this conference.
“We long to gather around the Word of God, deepen our fellowship in Christ, and be renewed and commissioned together for the great work of proclaiming the gospel to the nations,” Bishop Donison stated, underscoring that GAC leadership hopes the event serves as a spiritual renewal rather than merely an administrative meeting.
He added that delegate attendance will require prior vetting and personal approval from regional provincial, diocesan, or branch leadership.
Paul said that to facilitate international delegations, there are preparations of an all-inclusive logistical package encompassing lodging, meals, transport, and program activities. Taking advantage of the historic biblical setting of the Mediterranean, optional pre- and post-conference tours will allow attendees to visit New Testament sites associated with the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul across Greece and Türkiye.
Bishop Donison also noted that a bursary system will be established to provide financial support for delegates from lower-income dioceses who might otherwise face economic barriers to attending.
He added that comprehensive registration protocols, tier pricing, and booking deadlines are slated for release in the coming months.
