Nigeria’s Anglican Church Rescinds Ties with Canterbury Amid Controversy Over ‘Pro-Gay’ Female Archbishop

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has declared spiritual independence from the Church of England, rejecting the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. The Church criticized her support for same-sex marriage and her historic elevation as the first female to hold the position, calling it indicative of a troubling moral decline within the Anglican Communion’s leadership.

In a statement from the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, the announcement made on Friday, October 3, 2025, was labeled “devastating” and “insensitive,” accusing the Church of England of neglecting the deep divisions that already permeate the global Anglican community.

“This election is a double jeopardy. First, it disregards the convictions of the majority of Anglicans, who cannot accept female headship in the episcopate; and second, it is all the more disturbing that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage,” the statement read.

The Church pointed to Bishop Mullally’s remarks following a 2023 vote by the Church of England to approve blessings for same-sex couples, where she described the outcome as “a moment of hope.” The Nigerian Church believes such perspectives further exacerbate the rifts threatening the unity of the Anglican Communion.

“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion given the contentious issue of same-sex marriage, which has caused a significant crisis across the Communion for over two decades,” the statement continued.

This development highlights that the global Anglican community can no longer accept the leadership of the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Church of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and its foundational principles.

“As part of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms its position unreservedly and reiterates our commitment to uphold the authority of Scripture, our historic creeds, evangelism, and holy Christian living, regardless of the ongoing revisionist agenda,” the statement added.

Additionally, the Church urged conservative Anglicans in England and beyond to remain steadfast in defending biblical truths and resisting teachings that compromise the Christian faith.

“We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England who have consistently rejected the aberration called same-sex marriage, as well as other ungodly teachings, to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3),” the statement concluded.