Nigeria breaks with Church of England over female archbishop’s appointment
Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Henry Ndukuba (third from left) and Anglican leaders at the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Kigali, Rwanda. Photo: guardian.ng
On October 3, 2025, the Church of Nigeria officially rejected the authority of the Church of England following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury, citing concerns over her support for same-sex marriage and her position as the first woman to hold the post, reports Vanguard Nigeria.
In a statement from Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Nigerian Anglican Church, the Church of England’s decision was described as “destructive” and “insensitive,” as it disregards the convictions of the majority of Anglicans worldwide. “This election poses a double danger. First, it ignores the beliefs of most Anglicans, who cannot accept a woman’s primacy in the episcopate; and secondly, even more troubling is that Bishop Sarah Mullally is an outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage,” the statement reads.
The document stresses that appointing a woman to the highest ecclesiastical office, coupled with her support for blessing same-sex unions, “deepens the crisis within the Anglican Communion.” Ndukuba recalled that after the Church of England’s 2023 vote to bless same-sex couples, Sarah Mullally called it “a moment of hope,” which, according to the Nigerian Church, only worsened existing divisions.
The Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the GAFCON movement (Global Anglican Future Conference) and stated that it would continue to uphold “biblical teaching, the historic creeds, and traditional Christian values.”
Church leadership also called on conservative Anglicans in the UK and elsewhere to stand against ungodly teachings and to defend the Christian faith “in its true, apostolic form.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Anglicans around the world were uniting in opposition to the appointment of a woman as archbishop.
Read also
Upper Lavra court hearing postponed
The next court hearing in the Upper Lavra case has been scheduled for November 3.
UOC priest blesses ambulances at Kamianske medical center
A UOC priest in Kamianske blessed ambulances for a medical facility and wished its doctors God's help in their work.
Dumenko to German ambassador: Law targeting UOC also applies to other groups
Epifaniy Dumenko sought to defend Ukraine’s law restricting religious organizations during a meeting with the German ambassador.
Activists bused to court hearings in UOC cases, media say
A minibus has been spotted transporting protesters to and from courthouses where UOC cases are being heard.
Firefighters save historic UOC church from fire in Zakarpattia
A fire broke out at a UOC church in the Tiachiv district, damaging the altar and church furnishings.
Volyn Eparchy faithful collect six tons of aid for Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers in Volyn collected food and warm clothing for people displaced by the war who have found shelter at Sviatohirsk Lavra.