Each church is distinct and autonomous, but all share a history and beliefs with the Church of England. The Anglican Communion describes itself as “a family of 42 autonomous and independent-yet-interdependent national, pan-national, and regional churches in communion with the See of Canterbury.”

He becomes the first leader of the church, as well as the wider Anglican Communion of 85 million Christians worldwide, to be forced out in this manner, religious experts say. Announcing he is leaving "in sorrow,

A victim of historical abuse by a Church trainee tells her story for the first time.