Nigeria’s Anglican Communion Kicks Against Mullally’s Appointment As Archbishop Of Canterbury

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has vehemently condemned the selection of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, labeling the move as “devastating” and “insensitive” to the convictions held by the majority of the Anglican Communion.

In a statement released by Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the Archbishop, Metropolitan, and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the church argued that Mullally’s appointment overlooks the existing tensions and profound rifts within the global Anglican community.

“The news of the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally on Friday, 3rd October 2025, as the next Archbishop of Canterbury is devastating, one that ignores the current situation and challenges being faced by the Anglican Communion,” the statement read.

“It is a double jeopardy; first, in its insensitivity to the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who are unable to embrace female headship in the episcopate, and second, more disturbing that Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-s3x marriage as evidenced in her speech in 2023, after a vote to approve the blessings of homos3xuals when she described the result as a ‘moment of hope for the Church.’”

The Church of Nigeria further raised concerns about how Mullally, a known proponent of same-s3x blessings, could foster unity within the Anglican Communion given the longstanding disputes over s3xuality and doctrine.

“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion by the contentious same-s3x marriage, which has caused an enormous crisis across the entire Anglican Communion for over two decades,” the statement added.

The Nigerian church asserted that the appointment serves as additional evidence that the global Anglican community can no longer rely on the leadership of the Church of England or the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“On our part, as a member of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms the GAFCON position unreservedly, and reaffirms our earlier stance to uphold the authority of the Scriptures, our historic creeds, evangelism, and holy Christian living, irrespective of the ongoing revisionist agenda, believing our Lord Jesus Christ has built His church and ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’ (Matthew 16:18),” Ndukuba said.

He urged steadfast members within the Church of England who continue to oppose same-s3x marriage and related teachings to “contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

Mullally’s appointment, endorsed by King Charles III following the recommendation of a nomination committee, establishes her as the first woman in history to assume the role of Archbishop of Canterbury. She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down earlier in the year amid an abuse scandal.

At 63, Mullally becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic milestone for the Church of England, the mother church of the global Anglican Communion, which traces its origins back to the sixth century.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli