Faith vs. Inclusion: Nigerian Church Rejects Wales’ First Openly Gay Archbishop

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has strongly criticised the recent election of the Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales, declaring it as yet another clear deviation from the foundational Christian doctrines once held sacred by the global Anglican family.

According to iReporter Online, the Nigerian Church views Vann’s elevation as symptomatic of a deepening theological and moral crisis within certain sectors of the Anglican Communion.

Vann, who has openly identified as a homosexual and is in a civil partnership with Wendy Diamond, was elected on July 30, 2025, following a two-thirds majority vote by the Electoral College at St Pierre Church and Hotel in Chepstow.

She succeeds Bishop Andrew John, who retired earlier this year, and previously served as the Bishop of Monmouth for five years.

According to iReporter Online, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, in a statement issued Sunday, declared that the Nigerian Anglican Church will not recognise Vann’s election.

He condemned the development as a clear sign that some parts of the Anglican world have “sacrificed the authority of Scripture for a postmodern agenda with no divine legitimacy.”

Ndukuba went further to assert that this election represents not just theological compromise but also a weakening of the Church’s mission credibility.

He compared the situation to past controversies, including the tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Primate of the Episcopal Church in the U.S., under whose leadership conservative Anglicans reportedly faced persecution.

According to iReporter Online, the Nigerian Primate expressed deep concern that the Church of Wales’ decision might be a prelude to similar actions by the Church of England.

He urged faithful Anglicans worldwide to reject unscriptural doctrines, reaffirm their commitment to biblical truth, and align themselves with orthodox Anglican movements such as GAFCON.

He concluded with a solemn warning, calling for prayers for the Church of Wales while emphasizing that only repentance and godliness can restore its relevance in God’s divine plan.

Without such a return to sound doctrine, he warned, the consequences in divine judgment would be unavoidable.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”