Church of Nigeria breaks ties with Church of England over new Archbishop

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced its spiritual independence from the Church of England following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury the first woman to hold the position.

In a statement issued by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, on Friday, October 3, 2025, the church described the development as “devastating” and “insensitive,” accusing the Church of England of abandoning long-held biblical principles.

According to Primate Ndukuba, the decision posed a “double jeopardy” for global Anglicanism:

“First, it disregards the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who do not accept female headship in the episcopate; second, it is troubling that Bishop Mullally is an open supporter of same-sex marriage.”

The statement referenced Mullally’s 2023 comments after the Church of England approved blessings for same-sex couples, when she called the move “a moment of hope.”

The Nigerian Church said her stance undermines efforts to preserve unity within the global Communion.

“It is unclear how someone who supports same-sex marriage can hope to heal the already fractured fabric of the Anglican Communion,” the statement read.

“This clearly shows that the Church of England has lost its moral and spiritual leadership.”

Reaffirming its commitment to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), the Church of Nigeria said it would continue to uphold biblical authority, historic creeds, evangelism, and holy living, regardless of what it described as the Church of England’s “revisionist agenda.”

The Primate urged conservative Anglicans in England and worldwide to remain steadfast in defending scriptural truth:

“We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England who continue to reject the aberration called same-sex marriage to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).”

The statement also reflected on the historical irony that Christianity was first brought to Africa by missionaries from the Church of England, yet the same institution is now, in the Nigerian Church’s view, “dismantling the doctrines it once proclaimed.”

“It is clear that God, in His mercy, had already prepared the Nigerian Church and other indigenous churches in Africa
for a time like this, to stand for the truth and preserve the faith,” the statement concluded.