The recent decision by the Church of England’s General Synod to approve same-sex marriage has stirred up significant tension within the global Anglican Communion, with the Church of Nigeria now contemplating a breakaway in response to this development.
In a strongly-worded statement, the Church of Nigeria, a prominent member of the Anglican Communion, expressed its disapproval of the Church of England’s decision, citing it as a departure from biblical teachings. The Nigerian church firmly stated that it would no longer acknowledge the authority of the Church of England if it proceeds with the implementation of same-sex marriage.
The vote within the Church of England’s General Synod was a close one, with 95 votes in favor and 91 against in the House of Laity, and 99 votes for and 88 against in the House of Clergy. While the decision was welcomed by LGBTQ+ advocates, it has triggered strong opposition from conservative Anglican factions.
Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, issued a statement titled ‘Church Of Nigeria Response To The Approval of The Living In Love And Faith Liturgy By The Church of England,’ emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He cautioned that proceeding with same-sex marriage would result in a rupture of the sacramental communion between the two churches.
In his statement, Archbishop Ndukuba warned, “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 potential divergence marks a critical juncture in the relationship between the Church of Nigeria and the Church of England, signaling a significant rift within the Anglican Communion.
