The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially ended all formal relations with the Church in Wales following the appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the 15th Archbishop of Wales.
The announcement was made by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, during the opening session of the 14th Conference of Chancellors, Registrars, and Legal Officers held at the Church’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.
The conference, themed “Called as a Watchman,” gathered legal experts from across the Church to discuss issues of doctrine, justice, and governance.
In his keynote address titled “The Decade of the Reign of God: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects,” Primate Ndukuba denounced the Church in Wales’ decision, calling it “an abomination” and a clear deviation from biblical teachings.
“We reject the election of the Right Reverend Cherry Vann as the Archbishop of Wales,” he stated firmly.
Drawing parallels with the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson by the Episcopal Church in the United States which similarly led to a break in ties, Ndukuba declared, “Just as the Church of Nigeria took steps after the election of Gene Robinson in the United States, we are severing every tie and relationship with the Church of Wales.”
He also expressed strong disapproval of what he termed the increasing spread of revisionist teachings within parts of the Western Church, warning that these “evil agendas” disguised as wisdom and culture are “an abomination to God.”
Despite cutting formal connections with the Church in Wales, the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its solidarity with orthodox Anglicans in Wales through partnerships such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
“We pray that the Church of God in Wales will rise up, and that the faithful among them will stand strong. We, the Church of Nigeria, alongside GAFCON, will stand with them,” Ndukuba affirmed.
Looking forward, the Primate revealed plans for expanding the Church of Nigeria’s mission work globally, noting ongoing registrations in European countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
“We feel that the Lord is calling us back to Europe for mission,” he said.
He also highlighted the Church’s recent financial support for GAFCON initiatives, noting a contribution of $2.5 million to the GAFCON Endowment Fund and plans for a $2.3 million local Nigerian endowment to advance orthodox Anglican missions.
On legal and constitutional matters, Ndukuba urged church legal officers to strengthen reforms and engage in national advocacy.
“You are to understand yourselves to be watchmen for the Church. You defend the Church against all forms of aggression.”
“As modern-day watchmen, we must first listen to God, then speak His truth in love, knowing our duty lies in obedience,” he said, calling for support for constitutional review efforts and a new Nigerian Constitution.
