Pope Francis lends friendly support to Anglican Church in North America

c. 2014 Religion News Service

(RNS) Pope Francis stepped slightly outside of ecumenical protocol when he sent his support and congratulations to the new leader of a breakaway group of conservative Anglicans.

The pope’s message came during the October 9 installation service for Foley Beach, the new archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, which broke away from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada over theological differences on salvation and sexuality.