The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a scathing denunciation of the recent election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann—an openly lesbian cleric—as the new Archbishop of Wales, calling it a “grave deviation from biblical orthodoxy” and warning it signals a dangerous trend toward spiritual erosion within the global Anglican family.
In a strongly worded statement released by its Primate, The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the Church expressed deep concern over what it described as the Church in Wales’ surrender to cultural relativism at the expense of scriptural authority.
“This is not merely a denominational difference,” Ndukuba stated. “It is a declaration of doctrinal rebellion. The elevation of Bishop Vann represents a seismic rupture with the apostolic faith delivered once for all to the saints.”
The Primate warned that such decisions compromise the Gospel’s integrity and risk rendering the Church irrelevant in the face of moral decline.
He drew historical comparisons with the Episcopal Church in the United States under Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, noting the internal strife and schisms her tenure provoked due to progressive stances on sexuality.
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Citing 2 Timothy 4:3–4, Archbishop Ndukuba accused parts of the Anglican Communion of embracing teachings that “tickle the ears” rather than confront sin. “Too many have abandoned sound doctrine in favor of what is palatable to the world,” he lamented.
Calling for unity among conservative Anglicans, the Church of Nigeria urged global believers to stand firm with orthodox movements such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which uphold historic Christian teachings on marriage and sexuality.
“The Church of Nigeria unequivocally rejects and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared, adding that the Church in Wales must repent or risk divine judgment and spiritual irrelevance.
He concluded with a sobering appeal: “Christ is still building His Church—but not all within the visible Church are building with Him. Without repentance and a return to godliness, leaders who compromise will not escape the judgment that awaits.”