The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially severed spiritual ties with the Church of England, following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, described the development as “devastating” and “insensitive,” accusing the Church of England of deepening divisions within the global Anglican community.
Ndukuba said the decision to appoint Bishop Mullally, a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage, marked a significant moral decline within the leadership of the Anglican Communion. He noted that the Church of England had “disregarded the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who reject female headship and same-sex marriage.”
Quoting Bishop Mullally’s 2023 remarks describing the Church of England’s approval of blessings for same-sex couples as “a moment of hope,” the Nigerian Primate said such views further tear at the fabric of the Anglican Communion.
“It remains to be seen how someone who openly supports same-sex marriage can heal the divisions that have plagued the Communion for over two decades,” he added.
The Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its allegiance to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and its principles, emphasizing its commitment to uphold the authority of Scripture, traditional Christian doctrines, and moral integrity.
“As a member of the GAFCON family, we stand firm in defending biblical truth and reject the revisionist agenda threatening the foundation of the Christian faith,” the statement read.
The Church also called on conservative Anglicans in England and across the world to remain steadfast in their faith and continue to resist what it termed “ungodly teachings” that undermine biblical authority.
“We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England who have stood against the aberration of same-sex marriage to continue contending for the faith once delivered to the saints,” it added.
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