Nigeria’s Anglicans Threaten To Split from Church of England Over Same-Sex Marriage

The Church of Nigeria has threatened to sever ties with the Church of England over its decision to permit same-sex marriage, a move that has ignited a firestorm of controversy within the global Anglican Communion.

The Church of Nigeria, which represents a substantial portion of the communion, views this decision as a departure from orthodox Christian teachings and has announced it will no longer recognise the Church of England’s authority if it proceeds with this move, further deepening the divisions over LGBTQ+ issues.

However, the Church of England’s General Synod voted narrowly in favour of same-sex marriage, with 95 votes in favour and 91 against in the House of Laity, and 99 votes in favour and 88 against in the House of Clergy.

The decision has been met with jubilation from LGBTQ+ advocates, who see it as a significant milestone, but has also sparked intense backlash from conservative Anglicans, who strongly disagree with the move.

In a statement titled “Church of Nigeria’s Response to the Approval of the Living in Love and Faith Liturgy by the Church of England,” the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, described the decision as a pivotal and significant moment for the communion.

According to Ndukuba, the decision will result in a rupture of sacramental communion between the two churches.

The statement reads, “Should the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England proceed to give effect to the Approval of the Living in Love and Faith Liturgy and allow their Clergy to engage in same-sex marriage, the Church of England risks the danger of a Broken Sacramental Communion with the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and other Faithful Anglican Provinces.

“This move would mark a critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion, where the future of the Communion itself would be put in jeopardy, as we previously concluded that:

“If his Consecration proceeds, we recognise that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion and we have had to conclude that the Future of the Communion itself will be put in jeopardy.

“In light of this, we commend the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity who have opted to stand for the Scripture as the authority and guide of the Church in Doctrine, Worship, and Living. Their courage and conviction are a testament to the enduring power of Scripture.

“To support these faithful Anglicans, we shall continue to interact with them through various bodies, including GAFCON, GSFA, CEEC, the Alliance, and other organizations with similar vision, to keep alive the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

“Ultimately, the Church of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to abide by the Truth, as stated in John 8:32, standing in solidarity with those courageous and faithful Anglicans who have challenged this evil during the debates and discussions at the Synod.”

“Through this stance, we affirm our dedication to upholding the biblical teachings that have guided the Church for centuries, even in the face of adversity,” he said.

The Nigerian church has long been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, and has previously threatened to break away from the communion over the issue. This latest move is seen as a significant escalation of the rift between the conservative and liberal wings of the communion, further widening the gap between the two factions.