Nigeria, March 6 -- Conservative Anglican leaders have announced the creation of a new global leadership body, a move that signals a further split within the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The decision was announced on Thursday at a gathering of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Abuja. The group said the new structure, known as the Global Anglican Council, will guide churches aligned with its conservative position across several regions.

GAFCON, a network of mainly African and Asian Anglican churches, says it represents a large share of Anglicans worldwide. Its leaders have for years criticised what they describe as liberal changes within parts of the Anglican Communion, particularly on the ordination of women and the inc...