Cardinal takes a critical view of appointment of future Anglican primate

Cardinal Criticizes Appointment of Future Anglican Primate

The appointment of Sarah Mullally, 63, as the new Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual head of the Church of England may have negative consequences for Catholic-Anglican relations.

Concerns About Ecumenical Dialogue

Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, expressed his concern during a symposium in Vallendar near Koblenz. He warned that the bishop’s stance on sexual ethics has deepened divisions within the Anglican Communion, especially between the English mother church and the conservative Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon).

“Who will we dialogue with in the future if the Anglican world community is so divided?”

Disputes Over Inclusion of Sexual Minorities

In 2023, the Church of England’s General Synod approved a plan to create a “comprehensive pastoral service” for LGBTQI+ members — encompassing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and other identities. The decision triggered strong opposition across several African Anglican provinces.

This disagreement led Gafcon, a theologically conservative network, to formally separate from the Church of England. Despite the ongoing tensions, King Charles III recently appointed Bishop Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury and honorary leader of the Anglican Communion.

Author’s Summary

Cardinal Kurt Koch warned that Sarah Mullally’s appointment could strain ecumenical dialogue, given ongoing Anglican divisions over sexual ethics and LGBTQI+ inclusion.

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Katholisch.de Katholisch.de — 2025-11-03

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