A Biblically-orthodox Anglican movement is expanding across Europe.
The Anglican Convocation Europe (ACE) welcomed Spanish congregation La Comunidad Anglicana Evangélica de Valencia (CAEV) into its diocese.
ACE is one “convocation” of the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE). ANiE is not part of the Church of England, but is instead supported by the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon) – a global alliance of conservative Anglicans, some of whom are also members of the Anglican Communion, and some of whom are not.
Bishop Andy Lines, of ANiE, welcomed CAEV into ACE. He told en it was a “joy” to visit Spain and “receive” the congregation. “There were confirmations of young people who had brought many of their school friends along,” he added.
An hour south of Valencia, in Benissa, Costa Blanca, the Anglican church of La Iglesia Cristo Rey (Church of Christ the King) held a service to celebrate its formal launch, during which ACE’s Josep M. Rossello was officially welcomed as rector. Lines presided over the service; ANiE said his “presence points out the commitment of the Anglican Network to reach Europe with the gospel and reflects the growing strength of orthodox Anglicanism across continental Europe.”
The church’s launch – or “inauguration” – is part of a broader movement of church planting across Spain and Portugal, ANiE says, and is part of its growing presence throughout Europe, “bringing Biblically faithful Anglican worship and discipleship to regions where evangelical Christianity has historically had little foothold.”
“The minister Bishop Josep Rossello hopes to reach out to his home town in Spanish and Valenciano,” Lines said. “They also support the beginning of new works in Barcelona and another in North Eastern Spain. There are also significant expatriate English-speaking communities that we would ask the Lord of the harvest to send out new workers for.”
