Church of Nigeria cut ties with Church of England over bishop appointment

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has formally broken spiritual ties with the Church of England, rejecting Bishop Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Church criticized Mullally’s support for same-sex marriage and her distinction as the first female Archbishop, saying these developments reflect a moral decline in Anglican leadership.

Church of Nigeria cut ties with Church of England over bishop appointment

In a statement issued by Primate Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, the Church described the 3 October 2025 announcement as “devastating” and “insensitive,” accusing the Church of England of ignoring deep divisions in the global Anglican community.

“This decision disregards the convictions of the majority of Anglicans who cannot accept female episcopal leadership and is compounded by Bishop Mullally’s strong support for same-sex marriage,” the statement said.

The Church referenced Mullally’s 2023 remarks following the Church of England’s approval of blessings for same-sex couples, in which she called the outcome “a moment of hope.” Nigeria’s Anglican leaders said her position deepens fractures within the Communion.

“It is hard to see how someone who champions same-sex marriage can heal the divisions that have challenged the Anglican Communion for more than twenty years,” the statement added.

Declaring that the global Anglican community can no longer accept the leadership of the Church of England or the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and its principles.

“As a member of GAFCON, the Church of Nigeria remains committed to Scripture, historic creeds, evangelism, and holy living, despite ongoing revisionist agendas,” the statement said.

The Church called on conservative Anglicans in England and worldwide to defend biblical teaching and resist doctrines it described as ungodly.

“We urge all faithful members of the Church of England who oppose same-sex marriage and other contrary teachings to continue contending for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3),” the statement concluded.