The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has formally severed all ecclesiastical ties 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 on Tuesday by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, during the opening of the 14th Church of Nigeria Conference of Chancellors, Registrars, and Legal Officers, held at the Church’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Describing the development as a “departure from biblical truth” and “an abomination,” the Primate declared the Church’s unequivocal rejection of Archbishop Vann’s elevation. “We reject the election of the Right Reverend Cherry Vann as the Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba stated, citing doctrinal fidelity as the basis for the decision.
Drawing historical parallels, he recalled a similar move in 2003 when the Church of Nigeria cut ties with the Episcopal Church (USA) after the consecration of Gene Robinson, another openly gay bishop. “Just as we acted then, we are again taking a stand by severing every tie and relationship with the Church in Wales,” he said.
The decision marks the latest in a series of clashes between African and Western Anglican provinces over issues of sexuality and biblical interpretation. Ndukuba criticized what he termed the “revisionist agenda” gaining ground in parts of the Western Church, describing it as a cultural deviation from scriptural authority.
“These individuals have not relented from their evil agenda; rather, they have intensified it,” the Primate declared. “What they call their wisdom and culture is an abomination to God.”
Despite the severed institutional relationship, Ndukuba expressed solidarity with orthodox Anglicans within Wales, pledging continued support through international platforms 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,” he assured.
Themed “Called as a Watchman,” the Abuja conference brought together legal experts from across the Church to deliberate on doctrinal integrity, internal governance, and national engagement. In his keynote address titled “The Decade of the Reign of God: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects,” the Primate called on legal professionals to serve as guardians of the Church’s values in a rapidly shifting moral landscape.
“You are to understand yourselves to be watchmen for the Church. You defend the Church against all forms of aggression,” he said. “As modern-day watchmen, we must first listen to God, then speak His truth in love, knowing our duty lies in obedience.”
Ndukuba further announced that the Church of Nigeria is expanding its global mission footprint, with formal registrations underway in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland. “We feel that the Lord is calling us back to Europe for mission,” he noted.
As part of its growing international engagement, the Primate revealed that the Church had contributed $2.5 million to the GAFCON Endowment Fund and is also working to establish a Nigerian GAFCON Endowment Fund valued at $2.3 million to support orthodox Anglican missions.
On constitutional matters, he called on the Church’s legal officers to actively participate in internal reforms and to engage in national advocacy for a new Nigerian constitution, rooted in justice and godly principles.