Church of Nigeria declares spiritual independence from the Church of England, rejecting Bishop Sarah Mullally’s appointment over same-sex marriage support

Church of Nigeria has declared full spiritual independence from the Church of England, rejecting the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, in what it described as a stand for doctrinal integrity and biblical truth.

Also read: CAC accepts Fatoyinbo apology as church commends humility, reconciliation

In a statement issued on Monday, the Church said Mullally’s open support for same-sex marriage and her emergence as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury represent a “troubling moral decline” within the leadership of the Anglican Communion.

According to the Nigerian Anglican hierarchy, the development marks a departure from scriptural authority and undermines centuries of Christian teaching on marriage and morality.

The Church affirmed that it would no longer recognise the ecclesiastical authority of Canterbury in its spiritual or administrative affairs.

“The Church of Nigeria cannot in good conscience follow a leadership that disregards the clear teachings of Scripture,” the statement read.

“Our allegiance is to the Word of God, not to modern trends or political correctness.”

The decision follows years of theological tension between conservative African provinces and their Western counterparts over the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy.

The Nigerian Church leadership emphasised that its move was not borne out of hostility but of a commitment to preserving biblical faith and moral integrity within the Anglican family.

“Our resolve is firm we stand for truth, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. We shall continue to work with other orthodox provinces to uphold the Gospel of Christ without compromise,” the statement concluded.

Also read: Anglican church enforces political guidelines to preserve worship integrity

The declaration effectively cements a long-simmering rift within global Anglicanism, with the Church of Nigeria positioning itself as a leading voice in the conservative Global South movement that has repeatedly challenged the liberal trajectory of the Western Anglican establishment.