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With Sarah Mullally now Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of Nigeria has declared spiritual independence from Canterbury, prioritising fidelity to God’s Word over revisionist innovations.

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the world’s largest Anglican province, has formally declared spiritual independence from the Church of England.

The decision follows the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to hold the office and an outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, called the elevation of Mullally — who has also voiced support for open borders, Black Lives Matter, climate change, and abortion — “the final confirmation of moral decay within the leadership of the Church of England.”

The declaration asserts that the Nigerian church will no longer recognise Canterbury’s authority in doctrinal or spiritual matters, marking a decisive break with Western Anglican structures.

“This election is a double jeopardy,” Archbishop Ndukuba added, “disregarding the conviction of the majority of Anglicans and promoting same-sex marriage.”

He urged members to remain steadfast in upholding Scripture, calling on Christians worldwide to resist “ungodly teachings that compromise the faith” (Jude 1:3).

EXCELLENT!

The Church of Nigeria has left the Church of England.

The decision to leave comes after the Church of England named pro-abortion Bishop Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Church of Nigeria calls it a sign of “a troubling moral decline.” pic.twitter.com/z8DkYNyfmq

— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) October 7, 2025

A Fractured Communion

Bishop Sarah Mullally, formerly Bishop of London, assumed the role of Archbishop of Canterbury last week, succeeding Most Rev Justin Welby.

While her appointment has been praised in the United Kingdom as a milestone for “gender equality” and “inclusivity”, it has prompted strong opposition in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Church of Nigeria counts over 25 million members across 10,000 parishes, making it the largest Anglican province.

For decades, the church has resisted revisionist innovations, maintaining that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman.

Its declaration affirms allegiance to the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), upholding God’s Word rather than yielding to traditional structures or locations.

Dr Emmanuel Ibekwe, church historian at the University of Ibadan, described Nigeria’s move as “a long overdue assertion of theological independence” that reflects a shift in spiritual leadership.

“We are witnessing the decolonisation of Anglicanism. Spiritual authority once centralised in England is moving to the Global South,” he added.

The Road to African Independence

The rift between Western and African Anglicans has grown since 2003, when the Episcopal Church in the United States consecrated Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, as bishop. That decision sparked global backlash, particularly from African provinces who recognised it as a rejection of biblical teaching.

In 2008, GAFCON was established in Jerusalem as a platform for orthodox Anglicans, providing an alternative to Lambeth Conference governance. Since then, repeated boycotts of Lambeth gatherings and widening theological disputes have further chipped away at Anglican cohesion worldwide.

The Church of Nigeria’s declaration has garnered widespread support across the continent.

The Anglican Church of Uganda, which severed ties with Canterbury in 2023 over blessings for same-sex unions, praised Nigeria’s conviction. Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu affirmed that Nigeria “stands for biblical truth and holiness.”

Similarly, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of Kenya emphasised that his province cannot remain in fellowship with those who “reject biblical teaching on marriage and holiness.”

Rwanda, Tanzania, and Sudan are expected to issue statements supporting Nigeria, indicating a possible continental realignment of Anglicanism around Scripture.

‘This is Not a Time for Fear but Faith’

Critics of Mullally’s appointment observe that her leadership exemplifies a manifest departure from biblical authority.

Right Reverend Mark Powell, writing for The Daily Declaration, highlighted Bishop Mullally’s minimal theological formation, limited parish experience, and prior career as England’s Chief Nursing Officer, raising concerns about her readiness to guide the Communion.

Her advocacy for same-sex marriage, equivocal support for abortion, and focus on social justice issues over the salvation of souls have drawn scrutiny from conservative theologians.

Nigeria’s declaration signals a potential reordering of the Anglican Communion globally. With more than 60 per cent of Anglicans now residing in Africa, the shift undermines England’s historic primacy and signals an Anglican realignment along doctrinal rather than geographic lines.

Plans are reportedly underway among GAFCON and GSFA provinces to establish a Council of Primates, coordinating doctrine, mission, and global representation independent of Canterbury.

For the Church of Nigeria, the declaration marks a defining moment in its 175-year history.

Archbishop Ndukuba called on congregants to remain united and prayerful, saying, “This is not a time for fear but for faith. We are standing for truth, and truth will stand forever.”

The Nigerian Synod is expected to ratify the decision formally later this year.

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Images Courtesy of The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Wikimedia Commons.