The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has formally severed spiritual ties with the Church of England, rejecting the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, citing her support for same- sex marriage and her elevation as the first woman to occupy the historic position
In a strongly worded statement signed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, the Church condemned the announcement made on Friday, October 3, 2025, describing it as “devastating” and “insensitive.”
According to the statement, the development reflects a deep moral and theological decline within the leadership of the Anglican Communion.
“This election is a double jeopardy. First, it disregards the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who cannot accept female headship in the episcopate; and second, it is more disturbing that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-s** marriage,” the statement said.
The Nigerian Church recalled Bishop Mullally’s 2023 remarks following the Church of England’s vote to approve blessings for same-sex couples, in which she hailed the decision as “a moment of hope” for the Church a stance the Church of Nigeria said has further “deepened the wounds already tearing at the unity of the Anglican Communion.”
“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion by the contentious same-sex marriage, which has caused enormous crisis across the Communion for over two decades,” the statement said.
