The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially severed ties with the Church in Wales following the election of Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. In a statement dated August 3, 2025, and signed by the Primate, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, the Church condemned the election as a “serious breach of biblical teaching on sexuality and leadership.”

“We do not recognise the so-called Archbishop of Wales and cannot share communion with a church that has departed from the teachings of the Bible,” the statement read. Primate Ndukuba described the appointment of a practising lesbian as archbishop as “a defiance of God’s order” and “a departure from the faith once delivered to the saints.”

The Church declared the Church in Wales to be in a “state of impaired communion,” meaning no fellowship, worship, or ministry partnership would continue between the two churches.

This move mirrors Nigeria’s past decisions to cut ties with the U.S. Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, citing similar doctrinal issues.

“The Church in Wales has chosen to walk in the path of spiritual ruin,” Ndukuba stated, warning that such decisions “undermine the witness and mission of the Church.”

He reaffirmed the Church of Nigeria’s alignment with GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) and other “orthodox” Anglican provinces worldwide, insisting:

> “We stand firm in our call to uphold biblical faith, and we will not compromise with churches that embrace unbiblical innovations.”

The Church concluded by advising its members to avoid any ministry or liturgical cooperation with the Church in Wales or its representatives.