Nigerian Anglican leaders cite moral decline and opposition to same-sex marriage after Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, the rationale for their decision.
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has formally severed spiritual ties with the Church of England, declaring its independence after the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
In a statement released on Monday October 6, 2025, and signed by its Primate, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, the Nigerian church described Mullally’s elevation as “devastating” and “insensitive,” accusing the Church of England of disregarding long-standing divisions within the global Anglican Communion.
Bishop Mullally, the first woman to hold the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, is known for her support of same-sex marriage—a stance that has sparked deep controversy across conservative Anglican communities, particularly in Africa.
“This election is a double jeopardy,” the Nigerian statement said. “First, it disregards the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who cannot accept female headship in the episcopate; and second, it is even more disturbing that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage.”
The Nigerian church cited Mullally’s 2023 remarks following the Church of England’s decision to bless same-sex unions, in which she called the move “a moment of hope.” Nigerian leaders said such views represented “a troubling moral decline” and warned they could further fracture the global Anglican family.
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“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion by advancing a policy that has caused enormous crisis across the Church,” the statement added.
Announcing its withdrawal, the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its allegiance to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a conservative movement formed in 2008 to uphold traditional teachings and resist liberal reforms within the wider Communion.
“As a member of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms its commitment to uphold the authority of the Scriptures, the historic creeds, evangelism, and holy Christian living, irrespective of ongoing revisionist agendas,” the statement said.
The Church also urged conservative Anglicans in Britain and abroad to remain steadfast in defending what it called biblical truth. “We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England who have consistently rejected the aberration called same-sex marriage to continue contending for the faith once delivered to the saints,” it concluded.
The move marks one of the most significant rifts in the Anglican Communion’s modern history, underscoring the widening divide between its liberal and conservative factions worldwide.
