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Shock SPLIT in Church of England will see 250 NEW hardline Anglican churches by 2050
A CONSERVATIVE group of Anglican-based churches is poised to drive a wedge within the Church of England with a goal to create 250 churches by 2050
By JON ROGERS
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/
Sept. 24, 2016
A conservative group is poised to create 250 churches by 2050.
The Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), which takes a hardline position over divisive issues such as homosexuality, currently operates just six churches and one mission but should its aims be achieved the move could create a sizeable split within the church in the UK.
The splinter group, while still relatively small, has received the support of reactionary archbishops from around the world, including The Archbishop of Nigeria, the most Reverend Nicholas Okoh who is the head of Gafcon, a hardline body within the Anglican church.
AmiE has launched its plans ahead of the House of Bishops meeting to discuss its stance on the issue of homosexuality in November.
Pete Jackson said that the new churches were necessary to spread the gospel
Director of AMiE Brian O'Donoghue said that the new Anglican churches would not be necessary if the church took a "strong, orthodox" stance on sexuality.
The group's plans were announced in an online video. Pete Jackson, a pastor at AMiE's church in Walkley, said that the new churches were necessary to spread the gospel: "Sometimes there is false teaching at the very heart of the leadership." The organisation hopes to create 25 churches by 2025 and adding another 100 in the following 25 years.
A spokeswoman for the Church of England said: "Campaign groups from various parts of the church issue statements with comforting regularity.
"As a broad Church the Church of England encompasses a wide number of views over a wide range of issues. Whilst predictions of mass exodus are common -- the last over the ordination of women bishops -- our unity, though tested, remains based in the love of God through Jesus Christ and love of neighbour."
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is more liberal regarding issues like homosexuality.
The move comes during an ongoing debate within the Anglican church over issues such as the role of women and homosexuality which has proved to be devisive with the hardliners opposing moves by more liberal voices, such as Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who take a more encompassing view.
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