The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced its spiritual separation from the Church of England following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 3, 2025, by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the Church described the development as “devastating” and “insensitive.” They cited Bishop Mullally’s support for same-sex marriage and her position as the first female to hold the post. These were seen as signs of what it called “a deep moral decline” within the leadership of the Anglican Communion.
“This election is a double jeopardy,” the statement read. “First, it disregards the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who cannot accept female headship in the episcopate. Second, it is more disturbing that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage.”
The Church recalled Bishop Mullally’s 2023 remarks after the Church of England voted to allow blessings for same-sex couples. She described the move as “a moment of hope.” It said such views further deepened the divisions already threatening the unity of the global Anglican community.
“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion. The contentious same-sex marriage has caused an enormous crisis across the Communion for over two decades,” the statement added.
Declaring that the Church of England no longer holds moral or spiritual authority over the global Anglican family, the Nigerian Church reaffirmed its allegiance to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and its principles.
“On our part, as a member of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms the GAFCON position unreservedly. It reaffirms our earlier stance to uphold the authority of the Scriptures. We commit to our historic creeds, evangelism, and holy Christian living, irrespective of the ongoing revisionist agenda,” the Primate said.
The Church urged conservative Anglicans in England and beyond to remain steadfast in defending biblical truth and rejecting teachings it described as “ungodly.”
“We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England who have consistently rejected the aberration called same-sex marriage and other ungodly teachings, to continue contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints,” the statement concluded.
