Statement from the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin on the Church of Ireland’s Relationship with the Anglican Communion
The Most Revd John McDowell, Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, and the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Primate of Ireland and Archbishop of Dublin, have issued the following statement concerning the relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Anglican Communion, following the recent communiqué from Gafcon.
Clarifying the Church of Ireland’s Relationship with the Anglican Communion
In view of the recent communiqué issued by Gafcon, entitled “The Future Has Arrived,” we believe it may be helpful to members of the Church of Ireland if we clarify some matters of fact—particularly with reference to the Anglican Communion.
The Anglican Communion is a fellowship of autonomous Anglican Provinces (including the Church of Ireland) which voluntarily join together in clearly defined ways. It has existed in a formal sense since 1867, when the Archbishop of Canterbury issued invitations to what became the first Lambeth Conference.
From the beginning, the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the convening of the Lambeth Conference were expressions of Anglican unity and identity. As the Communion grew over time, these were supplemented by two further instruments of unity:
- the Primates’ Meeting, and
- the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC).
The Church of Ireland’s Place Within the Anglican Communion
This is the Anglican Communion to which the Church of Ireland belongs. The Preamble and Declaration—one of our foundational formularies—commits us to communion with the Church of England. This Preamble is prefixed to the Constitution of the Church of Ireland and included in the Book of Common Prayer.
Our bishops receive invitations to, and generally attend, the Lambeth Conference. The Archbishop of Armagh attends the Primates’ Meetings, and the General Synod appoints both clerical and lay representatives to the Anglican Consultative Council.
Notably, the next meeting of the ACC, to which all Anglican Provinces have been invited to send representatives, will be hosted by the Church of Ireland in Belfast in the early summer of 2026.
In addition, the Church of Ireland plays a full part in the Commissions, Committees, and Networks of the Anglican Communion—and, in so doing, lives out this aspect of our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Recognising Debate Within the Communion
There are many organisations and movements within the Anglican Communion which seek to reform aspects of how the Communion functions. Such debate and diversity have always been part of our shared Anglican life. However, the Church of Ireland recognises no body other than the one described above as the Anglican Communion.
Continuing in Communion
We do not suggest that the Anglican Communion, as it has existed historically and continues to exist today, is a perfect organisation. It is natural that those who hold to the Anglican theological method—balancing Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, and living out our discipleship in autonomous yet interdependent Provinces — will not always agree on every matter.
Nevertheless, praying always for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we remain committed to studying the Scriptures and learning from the insights of the past, together with our fellow Anglicans, in communion around the world.