The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has officially rejected the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the new Archbishop of Wales, describing the appointment as a "serious departure from biblical teaching."
In a strongly worded statement issued by its Primate, The Most Rev'd Henry Ndukuba, the Nigerian Anglican Church condemned the election, citing it as a threat to the unity of the global Anglican Communion.
"The election of Bishop Vann is a clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ can't endure sound doctrine," the statement read, referencing 2 Timothy 4:3-4 from scripture.
The Nigerian Primate further accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the ongoing same-sex marriage crisis within the Anglican Church, emphasizing the Nigerian church's position on traditional marriage values.
"The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales. We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ will build His Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," Ndukuba declared.
This rejection highlights the growing theological divide within the global Anglican Communion over LGBTQ+ inclusion and leadership. The Nigerian Anglican Church has consistently maintained a conservative stance on matters of sexuality and marriage, aligning with traditional interpretations of biblical teachings.
The election of Cherry Vann represents a significant moment for the Church in Wales, which has taken a more progressive approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion compared to some of its Anglican counterparts in Africa and other regions.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions within the worldwide Anglican Communion, where churches in different regions have adopted varying positions on same-sex relationships and the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy.
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