Nigerian Anglican Church Rejects Election of Lesbian Archbishop in Wales, Citing Biblical Deviation and Communion Threat

 

Tensions within the worldwide Anglican Communion have taken a new turn following the decision by the Church in Wales to elect Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian bishop, as its Archbishop. This development has drawn sharp rebuke from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), which has declared the election a grave error, a rejection of scripture, and a dangerous step toward division within the global body.

In a strongly worded statement issued by the Church’s Primate, The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the Nigerian Anglican leadership condemned what it described as a drift into “spiritual decadence” and “outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.” The Church insists that this move contradicts foundational Christian teachings and stands in opposition to the core values that bind the Anglican Communion.

According to the Church of Nigeria, such decisions, driven by liberal theological and social agendas, represent not just internal church matters but carry far-reaching consequences for the unity, mission, and spiritual integrity of Anglicanism as a whole. The election of Bishop Vann is viewed not only as a local decision but as a public endorsement of practices the Nigerian Church considers incompatible with biblical truth.

Referencing Scripture, Archbishop Ndukuba pointed to 2 Timothy 4:3–4, warning that a time has come when many within the Church are no longer willing to uphold sound doctrine. “The recent election of Bishop Vann is a clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine,” the Primate declared.

Such a strong stance from one of the largest Anglican provinces underscores the growing chasm between conservative and liberal elements within the global Anglican family. Archbishop Ndukuba’s message did not stop at rejection; it served as a call to action, urging Anglicans worldwide to resist what he termed “apostasy” and align instead with groups committed to biblical fidelity.

Recalling past controversies, the statement drew parallels with the leadership of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, who headed the Episcopal Church in the United States from 2006 to 2015. Her progressive stance on issues including same-sex marriage provoked similar criticism from conservative Anglican factions and contributed to significant splits and realignments across the Communion.

The Nigerian Church expressed concern that elevating someone openly involved in a same-sex relationship to such a high ecclesiastical office only reinforces what it sees as a pattern of theological compromise in parts of the Western Church. It warned that unless there is repentance and a return to scriptural orthodoxy, the Church in Wales risks complete spiritual irrelevance.

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Archbishop Ndukuba stated plainly. His message made it clear that the Nigerian Church intends to maintain distance from any ecclesiastical authority that, in its view, strays from traditional Christian teachings.

The statement also included a broader appeal to the Anglican faithful around the world, encouraging them to realign with conservative networks such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which has positioned itself as a guardian of orthodox Anglican belief.

“We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ will build His Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” the statement concluded. However, it issued a sobering warning to those within the Church who, according to the Nigerian leadership, have embraced compromise and false teaching. The Primate emphasized the need for prayer, repentance, and spiritual courage in facing what he describes as a doctrinal and moral crisis threatening the Church’s witness and mission.

This latest development is likely to deepen existing rifts within the Anglican Communion. With the Church of Nigeria representing millions of Anglicans and holding significant influence, its categorical rejection of Bishop Vann’s elevation may lead to further estrangement between provinces in the Global South and those in the West, especially as debates over sexuality, authority, and biblical interpretation continue to shape the Communion’s future.

As theological divisions grow sharper, the Anglican world may be approaching another critical crossroad. Whether unity can be preserved amid such profound differences remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that voices like those from Nigeria are unwilling to remain silent as the Anglican landscape shifts in ways they view as both dangerous and unfaithful.