The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has cut all ties with the Church of Wales, citing the election of Bishop Cherry Vann—an openly gay cleric—as Archbishop of Wales as the final straw in what it describes as a growing wave of “doctrinal revisionism” in Western churches.
Announcing the move during the Church Conference of Chancellors, Registrars, and Legal Officers in Abuja on Tuesday, August 5, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, labelled Vann’s elevation “an abomination” and a clear violation of biblical doctrine.
“The election of a lesbian woman does not originate as a mission. She was nurtured from an acolyte to a deaconess, and it was only upon becoming a bishop that she came out openly. We reject the election of the Right Reverend Cherry Vann,” he declared.
The event, themed “Called as a Watchman,” brought together key legal minds within the Church to address issues of doctrinal integrity and governance. Ndukuba used the platform to reaffirm Nigeria’s stance against what he termed “the evil agenda” of revisionists in Western Anglican churches.
“What they call their wisdom and culture is an abomination to God,” he said. “As the scripture says, evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Drawing historical parallels, Ndukuba likened the Church of Nigeria’s latest decision to its 2003 response to the consecration of Gene Robinson—the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church (USA). “Just as the Church of Nigeria took steps after the election of Gene Robinson, we are severing every tie and relationship with the Church of Wales,” he said.
While cutting ties with the Church of Wales, Ndukuba pledged solidarity with orthodox Anglicans within the region, assuring them of continued support through the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and other traditionalist networks.
