Appointment of Lesbian Cleric: Church of Nigeria severe ties with Wales

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially ended its relationship 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, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, during the opening of the 14th Church of Nigeria Conference of Chancellors, Registrars, and Legal Officers held in Abuja. He described the appointment as an abomination and a significant departure from biblical truth.

Ndukuba stated that the Church of Nigeria rejects the election of Cherry Vann and likened it to the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson in the Episcopal Church in the United States, which had also prompted Nigeria to cut ties with that province.

He criticized the growing influence of what he called revisionist teachings within parts of the Western Church and said these trends go against God’s word and should not be accepted under the guise of culture or modern wisdom.

Despite cutting ties with the Church in Wales, the Church of Nigeria expressed support for orthodox Anglicans in the region through global alliances such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

Ndukuba said the Church will continue to stand with faithful believers in Wales who uphold biblical teachings.

The Primate also revealed plans to expand the Church’s mission in Europe, with new registrations ongoing in Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland, indicating what he believes is a divine call to return to Europe for evangelism. In support of the GAFCON movement, he noted that the Church of Nigeria had recently contributed $2.5 million to its endowment fund and was in the process of creating a Nigerian-based GAFCON endowment worth $2.3 million.

Addressing legal officers at the conference, Ndukuba called them modern-day watchmen, urging them to support the Church’s internal constitutional reforms and to engage actively in national dialogue for a new Nigerian constitution. He emphasized their role in defending the Church and upholding its values through obedience to God and service to the community.