Methodist Church Nigeria Cuts Ties With British Counterpart Over Approval Of Same-Sex Marriage

By Florence Cornelius On Jul 3, 2021

Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) has passed a vote of no confidence on its British counterpart, over the latter’s approval of same-sex marriage.

Nigerian part of the church said this in a statement by its Director, Media and Public Relations, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, in Lagos state on Friday.

Daramola expressed that the Church expressed its displeasure over the decision of the British Church in favour of same-sex marriage.

According to him, the position of MCN was made known by its Prelate, His Eminence Chukwumerije Kanu-Uche, in a message he shared with members, on July 2.

Kanu-Uche announced that MCN was cutting formal ties with British Methodist Church (BMC) due to the latter’s decision to vote in favour of same sex marriage at the just-concluded conference.

He expressed;

I wish to let you know that I was invited to the British Methodist Conference this year, 2021 but I was duly represented by Rt. Rev. S. R. Nortey.

He was part of the Conference and he has given me preliminary information and report.

I have requested him to publish and circulate the full report on the SSM to the Conference office and all of us.

Kanu-Uche said that what British Methodist Conference had done was predicted by John Wesley that, “a time will come when the Methodist Church will exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion and denying the power thereof unless they continue with the spiritual fervency with which they first started.”

The prelate reminded the members that British Methodist Church was no longer the mother Church of MCN.

He stated;

She is only a sister Church. MCN gained autonomy in 1962 and became autocephalous in 1963. So, we can part ways with the British Conference and have nothing to lose.

I only pity those romancing with them because of pecuniary interest. Suggestion to write or visit the British Methodist Conference is an insult on Methodist church.

He, however, said the Church will wait to receive a detailed report from the accredited delegate to the Conference and take an informed decision at August 2021 consultation.

Kanu-Uche added;

As a remedial measure let every Bishop, and Archbishop tell our members that MCN does not support gay or same-sex marriage.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian House of Representatives had during the 7th assembly, during the dispensation of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 passed a resolution against same-sex marriage, citing its un-African nature.

The law bans gay marriage and same-sex “amorous relationships” and it is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, sparking international outcry. However, no offender is known to have been convicted under it.

Via NAN.