The Church of Nigeria has rejected the approval of the same-sex marriage liturgy by the General Synod of the Church of England.
The decision to approve the “Living in Love and Faith Liturgy”, was
taken on July 8 2024 in York, and does not only authorise blessings for same-sex couples but also allows clergy to enter into same-sex marriages.
The decision scaled through by a slim margin: Bishops – 22 for, 12 against, Clergy: – 99 for, 88 against and Laity – 95 for, 91 against.
However, the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion considered this as a departure from Biblical teachings.
It expressed grave concern and accused the Church of England of deciding to turn away from biblical injunctions in Genesis 2:18-24 and Matthew 19:4-6, which affirmed that marriage is a union “between man and woman; male and female.”
It further observed that the approval signifies a departure from the doctrinal commitments of the Anglican Church, even as Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, said the bishops of the Church had sacrificed Scriptural authority for modern cultural developments and thereby endangering the unity and sacramental communion within the Anglican Communion.
He warned against proceeding with the liturgy, saying it could result in a “Broken Sacramental Communion” with the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican provinces that uphold traditional Biblical teachings.
Ndukuba recalled the 2003 controversy involving the Episcopal Church (USA) and the consecration of Canon Gene Robinson, which similarly threatened the unity of the Anglican Communion.
He said that the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its solidarity with the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), GAFCON, and other faithful Anglicans worldwide in denouncing the approval.
The Church as a body described the decision as an “error of great magnitude” and a violation of Biblical teachings on marriage.
The cleric lauded those opposed to the decision, assuring the faithful members and parishes within the Church of England who continue to uphold Scriptural authority of support and fellowship.
He reiterated the Church of Nigeria’s commitment to the truth and expressed hope that the truth of God would ultimately prevail over falsehood, praying for the Anglicans in the Church of England and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their obedience to Christ despite the challenges posed by the recent decision.