Archbishop Beach argued that the actions of the CoN violated the 2008 Jerusalem Declaration, especially Article 11 which states: "We are committed to the unity of all those who know and love Christ and to building authentic ecumenical relationships. We recognize the orders and jurisdiction of those Anglicans who uphold orthodox faith and practice, and we encourage them to join us in this mission."

Beach set out six areas of concern in the letter.

1. Many of the ACNA Bishops feel snubbed and violated by Archbishop Ndukuba's personal actions in disregarding the April 15, 2023, Resolutions Letter the College of Bishops sent him about the continuation of the CONNAM. The North American geographical jurisdiction of the CoN continued to operate in a manner that violates Anglican norms and the bonds of charity with a Province with whom the CoN is in communion. Furthermore, it is confusing to have two GAFCON Provinces operating in North America without any communication or collaboration.

2. It is disingenuous for Archbishop Ndukuba to give the impression that all is well between the CoN and the ACNA when a CoN splinter group, Christ Anglican Church in Irvington, N.J., is suing two ACNA Bishops -- Bishop Derek Jones and Bishop Ken Ross. "The physical violence against fellow Christians (and Anglicans) and the destruction of property by people saying they represent you is reprehensible!!" the letter said.

3. Archbishop Ndukuba recently stopped Archbishop Edmund Akanya from speaking at the Anglican Diocese of All Nations (ADAN) Synod in July. In explaining his reasons, Ndukuba attacked ADAN Bishop Felix Orji, calling him a betrayer for leaving the CoN and claiming that he stabbed the CoN in the back for following good Anglican polity. According to the letter, Ndukuba shamed and threatened Akanya so he would not speak at the synod.

4. The CoN recently dissolved its CONNAM dioceses in North America, but created seven Ecclesiastical Regions with about 16 Mission Areas in their place. The Missionary Districts are doing evangelism and church planting, with some being led by Bishops who are confirming and ordaining. The letter noted the CoN plans to consecrate more Bishops, with no announcement of collaboration with the ACNA even though the ACNA College of Bishops has offered to consecrate Bishops to pursue evangelism and church planting among Nigerians in North America. "What you are doing violates Christian charity, undermines the mission of ACNA in her geographical territory, creates confusion and brings disunity within GAFCON," the letter said.

5. The ACNA has communicated its concerns to Archbishop Ndukuba and the CoN Bishops and requested a meeting to resolve the matter, but all to no avail. "The situation has now become so bad that CONNAM Bishops and clergy and laity in North America who try to join the ACNA are abused, threatened and called 'Judases' by some members of the CoN," the letter noted. "This is inexcusable for followers of Jesus Christ!"

6. "Once again, we hereby request that the CoN transfer and release all the congregations, parishes, Dioceses, clergy, Bishops and structures that the CoN has in North America through the normal Canonical process into the Canonical jurisdiction of the ACNA to enjoy all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of life within the Provincial structures of the ACNA, including such structures as the Mothers Union and the Knights of the CoN, so that our life as Anglicans can be mutually celebrated in ways that conform to Anglican norms and Provincial structures," Archbishop Beach said in the letter. He reaffirmed the ACNA's constitutional commitment to allow all Dioceses and congregations to use any liturgy of the originating jurisdictions of the ACNA, including those of the CoN, and to welcome the use of those liturgies "in the heart languages" of Anglicans who have immigrated to North America from the ACNA's founding partner Provinces.

Urging the CoN to collaborate with the ACNA, Archbishop Foley concluded the letter with: "Doesn't it make more sense to collaborate with us? If we wanted to pursue ministry in Nigeria, we would collaborate with you to do it. This is how our sister Provinces in GAFCON work everywhere else. Why not Nigeria?"

Anglicans need to show the world that the gospel of Christ actually changes lives and breaks down national, ethnic, socioeconomic and racial barriers. As the late Dr. John Stott often said, the Church is a multicultural, multilingual, multiethnic and multiracial community of believers in Christ on a mission to lift high the cross of Christ rather than a church built along racial or ethnic or national lines.

It is time for the GAFCON Primates to intervene in this matter before more problems arise from the disregard shown by the CoN to the ACNA by operating its nationalistic mission in the ACNA Provincial jurisdiction.

END