The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has dramatically declared its spiritual independence from the Church of England, rejecting the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Nigerian Church, which represents the largest Anglican province globally, stated that the election—made official on Friday, October 3, 2025—was both “devastating” and “insensitive”, claiming it signifies a deep moral and theological decline within the leadership of the global Anglican Communion.
In a powerful statement signed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, the Church outlined two principal objections:
- Rejection of Female Episcopate: The appointment “disregards the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who cannot accept female headship in the episcopate.”
- Support for Same-Sex Marriage: The objection is amplified because Bishop Mullally is a “strong supporter of same-sex marriage,” a contentious issue that has divided the Communion for decades.
The statement pointedly recalled Bishop Mullally’s 2023 remarks, where she described the Church of England’s vote to approve blessings for same-sex couples as a “moment of hope.” The Nigerian Church argued that such views will only “deepen the wounds already tearing at the unity” of the global body.
The Church of Nigeria views this development as definitive proof that the global Anglican world can no longer accept the spiritual leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Church of England.
The Church reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and its founding principles, committing itself to upholding “the authority of the Scriptures, our historic creeds, evangelism and holy Christian living, irrespective of the ongoing revisionist agenda.”
The Nigerian Primate urged conservative Anglicans both in England and around the world to “remain steadfast in defending biblical truth” and resist the “ungodly teachings” that they believe compromise the Christian faith.
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