By Esohe Aifuwa
Church in Wales Faces Split Over Lesbian Archbishop Election
The Church in Wales has lost its fellowship with the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) after electing Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as its new Archbishop of Wales.
The decision, announced on August 3, 2025, by Nigerian Primate Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, marks a significant rift within the global Anglican community.
In a strongly worded statement, the Church of Nigeria declared it could no longer maintain ties with a church it believes has strayed from biblical teachings on sexuality and leadership.
The election of Vann, according to the statement, violates core Christian principles and represents a rejection of traditional Anglican doctrine.
The Church of Nigeria has placed the Church in Wales in a “state of impaired communion,” effectively halting all formal worship, ministry, or partnership activities between the two bodies. This move echoes previous breaks with the U.S. Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada over similar disagreements.
Primate Ndukuba emphasized the Church of Nigeria’s commitment to biblical authority and its alignment with GAFCON, a global network of orthodox Anglican provinces. He urged Nigerian Anglicans to avoid any engagement with the Church in Wales, warning that its path undermines the church’s mission.
The decision highlights ongoing tensions within the Anglican Communion as differing views on sexuality and doctrine continue to strain global ties.