The Church of Nigeria has warned it may sever ties with the Church of England following the latter’s General Synod vote to approve same-sex marriage, creating a significant rift within the global Anglican Communion.
The Nigerian church, one of the largest in the communion, condemned the decision as a violation of biblical teachings and announced it would no longer recognize the authority of the Church of England if it proceeds with the move.
The Church of England’s General Synod narrowly approved same-sex marriage, with 95 votes for and 91 against in the House of Laity, and 99 votes for and 88 against in the House of Clergy. While LGBTQ+ advocates hailed the decision as a victory, it has sparked outrage among conservative Anglicans.
Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, 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’, calling the decision a critical juncture for the communion.