Anglican grouping GAFCON objects to female Archbishop of Canterbury

LONDON (Reuters) -GAFCON, a grouping of conservative Anglican churches across Africa and Asia, said the Church of England's appointment of its first female Archbishop of Canterbury showed that the English arm of the church had "relinquished its authority to lead".

"Today's appointment makes it clearer than ever before that Canterbury has relinquished its authority to lead. The reset of our beloved Communion is now uniquely in the hands of GAFCON, and we are ready to take the lead," the alliance said in a statement on Friday.

Sarah Mullally was earlier named as Britain's new Archbishop of Canterbury.

(Reporting by Muvija M, writing by Sarah Young, editing by William James)