Church of Nigeria Rejects Election of Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Cites Threat to Biblical Values

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has strongly condemned the recent election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales.

In an official statement signed by its Primate, The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the Church described the development as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and labelled it “spiritual decadence.”

Ndukuba warned that the appointment could further damage the unity and credibility of the global Anglican Communion. Quoting 2 Timothy 4:3–4, he said the move reflects a broader rejection of sound doctrine among those claiming to be part of the Christian faith.

The Church’s statement compared Vann’s election to the controversial leadership of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, the former head of the U.S. Episcopal Church, whose progressive stance on same-sex relationships drew similar backlash.

The Church of Nigeria accused the new Welsh Archbishop of intensifying the ongoing crisis in the Anglican Church over same-sex issues. The leadership emphasized that the Church in Wales risks losing its spiritual influence unless it returns to foundational biblical values.

In a decisive rejection, Ndukuba declared that the Church of Nigeria will not recognize or accept Vann’s election, calling on global Anglicans to stand firm against what he described as “apostasy and rebellion.”

He urged fellow believers to align with conservative Anglican bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which upholds traditional Christian teachings.

“We continue to trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, who promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church,” the statement added. “However, unless there is repentance and a return to godliness, this Church risks total spiritual irrelevance in the divine agenda for Wales.”