In June this year, seven Church of England ordinands were ordained as Deacons, but not by any CofE bishop. Instead, they were ordained, as a matter of Biblical conscience, by Martin Morrison, a highly respected and much-loved bishop in REACH-SA (The Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa). A similar event took place last year. REACH is thoroughly Biblical and evangelical in approach, but not part of the existing Anglican Communion, being linked instead to Gafcon, the more conservative alternative umbrella organisation.
However, its orders are nonetheless recognised by the CofE, which means the ordinations count as "valid" in official Church of England terms, though this does not necessarily guarantee those ordained official "PTO" (Permission to Officiate) unless the relevant CofE bishop grants it.
Exclusive: ‘Alternative ordination’ Anglicans speak out
In June this year, seven Church of England ordinands were ordained as Deacons, but not by any CofE bishop. Instead, they were ordained, as a matter of Biblical conscience, by Martin Morrison, a highly respected and much-loved bishop in REACH-SA (The Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa). A similar event took place last year. REACH is thoroughly Biblical and evangelical in approach, but not part of the existing Anglican Communion, being linked instead to Gafcon, the more conservative alternative umbrella organisation.
However, its orders are nonetheless recognised by the CofE, which means the ordinations count as "valid" in official Church of England terms, though this does not necessarily guarantee those ordained official "PTO" (Permission to Officiate) unless the relevant CofE bishop grants it.