The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has rejected and strongly condemned the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullaly as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, describing the move as a “double jeopardy” for the global Anglican community.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, said Mullaly’s elevation confirmed that “the global Anglican world could no longer accept the leadership of the Church of England and that of the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
“It is a double jeopardy; first, in its insensitivity to the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who are unable to embrace female headship in the episcopate,” Archbishop Ndukuba said.
READ ALSO: King Charles III Names First Woman Archbishop of Canterbury
The primate also faulted Mullaly’s record of supporting same-sex marriage, referencing her 2023 remarks following a Church of England vote that approved blessings for same-sex couples.
“More disturbing is that Bishop Sarah Mullaly is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage, as evidenced in her speech in 2023, when she described the result as a ‘moment of hope for the Church’,” he noted.
According to Ndukuba, the appointment risks worsening long-standing divisions within the global Anglican Communion, which has been riven by disputes over sexuality and doctrine for more than two decades.
“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion,” he said.
The Nigerian church leader called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “ungodly teachings” and remain faithful to scriptural authority.
“We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England who have consistently rejected the aberration called same-sex marriage and other ungodly teachings to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3),” he urged.
READ ALSO: British Airways Flight Diverted After Retired Air Vice Marshal Dies Mid-Air
Ndukuba reaffirmed the Church of Nigeria’s loyalty to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) — a coalition of conservative Anglican provinces that oppose liberal theological reforms.
“As a member of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms the GAFCON position unreservedly and reaffirms our stance to uphold the authority of the Scriptures, our historic creeds, evangelism and holy Christian living,” he stated.
Background
Bishop Sarah Mullaly, 63, a former cancer nurse and long-time advocate for women’s leadership in the church, was announced last Friday as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury — the first woman to occupy the position. Her appointment follows the abrupt resignation of Justin Welby in November 2024.
Since becoming the first female Bishop of London in 2018, Mullaly has been praised for her leadership, inclusivity and commitment to modernising the church. As Archbishop of Canterbury, she will oversee an estimated 85 million Anglican faithful across more than 165 countries.
