Nigerian Anglican Church Rejects Election of Openly Gay Archbishop in Wales, Deepening Communion Rift

The Nigerian Anglican Church has strongly condemned the recent election of Bishop Cherry Vann as the new Archbishop of Wales, a move that introduces an openly gay Primate into a leadership role within the Anglican Communion. Bishop Vann, who lives in a civil partnership with her partner, Wendy, was elected on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, by the Church in Wales Electoral College, making her both the first woman and the first openly gay person to hold such a high office in a UK Anglican church.

While an immediate, specific statement from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on this particular election was not available at press time, its established theological stance and consistent actions over decades leave no doubt as to its profound disapproval. The Church of Nigeria, a leading voice within the conservative Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), adheres strictly to the biblical interpretation that upholds marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman and considers homosexual acts contrary to scripture.

This latest development is poised to further exacerbate the deep-seated divisions plaguing the global Anglican Communion. The Nigerian Anglican Church, under the leadership of The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, has repeatedly criticized provinces that affirm LGBTQ+ clergy or same-sex relationships. In November 2023, Primate Ndukuba personally signed a press release vehemently condemning the Church of England’s approval of prayers for same-sex couples, describing it as a “fundamental error to the Scripture” and a “withdrawal from Scriptural teachings.” Prior to that, in February 2023, the GSFA, representing the majority of Anglicans worldwide including Nigeria, declared “impaired communion” with the Church of England over similar issues, questioning the Archbishop of Canterbury’s leadership.

The consecration of an openly gay Archbishop in Wales is seen by conservative provinces as a significant departure from what they consider orthodox Anglican doctrine, directly challenging the traditional understanding of Christian marriage and sexuality. For the Church of Nigeria, such an election represents a compromise of long-established church doctrine and an embrace of what it views as unbiblical practices.

Observers anticipate that the Church of Nigeria, alongside other like-minded provinces, will reiterate its stance on impaired communion and may explore further steps regarding its relationship with provinces like the Church in Wales, deepening the existing schism within the global Anglican family over these contentious issues.