The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has rejected the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian bishop, as the Archbishop of Wales.
In a statement signed by its leader, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the Church called the election a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and warned that it could divide the global Anglican family.
“The recent election of Bishop Vann is a clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine,” Ndukuba said, quoting 2 Timothy 4:3–4.
He described the move as a sign of “spiritual decay” and accused the Church in Wales of abandoning the core values of Christianity. He also warned that such actions could weaken evangelism and damage the Church’s mission around the world.
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The Nigerian Church compared Vann’s election to the leadership of Katherine Jefferts Schori, the former head of the Episcopal Church in the United States, who also faced criticism for supporting same-sex relationships.
Ndukuba said Bishop Vann had played a role in the “ongoing crisis” surrounding same-sex matters in the Church. He warned that unless the Church in Wales returns to biblical principles, it risks becoming “spiritually irrelevant.”
The Church of Nigeria also urged Anglicans around the world to reject “rebels and apostates” and instead support conservative Christian groups like GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference), which follow traditional biblical teachings.
“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba said.