Is Anglicanism fracturing? And over what?

There is also a large division among the Anglican churches because of the degree to which they are political, connected to the state, or an institution of the state and the culture. In England the Anglican church has a very different history and position in society institutionally than the the Anglican church does in, say Nigeria. And for a long time this historical and cultural association has protected and cultivated the church, but it also leaves it vulnerable.

Anglicanism sowed the seeds for its split the first time it became a purely religious institution in countries that were English neither politically nor culturally nor ethnically. That created an underlying difference in the relationship of the church to its members and the wider society and culture. The non-English churches are, in a way, more religious and less secular, not only in practice but in structure. That makes them more independent.

So long as the underlying cultures were in relative agreement and in step, or at least following one another (following English culture in particular), they held together in communion. But as the cultures and countries moved in different directions, those underlying structural differences pulled the parts of the church in different directions. In the more English and institutionally secular countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, the faith moves with the culture and politics, while countries not sharing those politics or culture feel no need to move with the English.

Long term, it raises the question of what exactly the basis of the Anglican church is, as a distinct religious entity. Is it political, is it scriptural, is it cultural? In England the foundation of the church seems to be far more political and cultural and traditional (as in, based on tradition, on Englishness). In other countries the basis for the church is very different; it lacks the historical and cultural and traditional grounding. It tends to be more scriptural, by necessity. And that basis has been proving to be more fruitful and durable than the traditional, political, cultural Anglicanism of the English countries, which is rapidly shrinking and becoming a minority within its own faith community.