Church of Nigeria Rejects Archbishop of Canterbury’s Appointment, Declares Spiritual Independence

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially broken spiritual ties with the Church of England following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, citing objections to her being pro-same-sex marriage and the first female to occupy the office.

The statement was issued by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, in response to Mullally’s elevation on October 3, 2025. 

According to the Church of Nigeria, the appointment is a “double jeopardy”: first, for disregarding the deeply held convictions of many Anglicans who oppose female episcopal headship; second, for being supportive of same-sex marriage. 

The Church recalls Bishop Mullally’s remarks when the Church of England approved blessings of same-sex couples in 2023, describing that vote as a “moment of hope” — a stance they now reject as “insensitive”. 

The Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its membership in GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference), emphasizing its adherence to what it calls “biblical orthodoxy,” historic creeds, and evangelism over what it sees as doctrinal drift. 

The statement urged faithful Anglicans who reject same-sex marriage and female episcopacy to stand firm, calling the elevated leadership out of alignment with their beliefs. 

This declaration represents a major schism within the Anglican Communion, reflecting long-standing theological disagreements over gender roles and sexuality. It remains to be seen how this separation will impact communion, resource sharing, or how Anglican churches globally engage with one another moving forward.