The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has sharply criticized the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, calling it “devastating” and a departure from core Anglican beliefs. In a formal statement issued Monday and signed by Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Church accused the decision of ignoring the convictions of many Anglicans around the world.
According to PUNCH Online, Mullally—aged 63—became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on Friday, making history as the first woman to lead the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.
She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down earlier this year amid scandal.
Church of Nigeria’s Objections
The statement from the Church of Nigeria described the appointment as a “double jeopardy” for the Anglican Communion:
- It said the decision showed insensitivity to many Anglicans who oppose female headship in the episcopate.
- It pointed to Mullally’s support of same-sex blessings, citing remarks she made in 2023 after the Church of England voted to allow blessings of same-sex unions. She described that vote as a “moment of hope for the Church.”
“It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion by the contentious same-sex marriage … which has caused an enormous crisis across the entire Anglican Communion for over two decades.”
The Church of Nigeria argued that the election signals that many theologians across the Anglican world can no longer accept the leadership of Canterbury as embodying unity and doctrine.
Affirming its belonging to GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference), the Church reiterated commitment to scriptural authority, historic creeds, evangelism and holy living, rejecting what it described as a “revisionist agenda.”
“We encourage all faithful brothers and sisters in the Church of England … to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).”
Mullally’s Background & Reactions
Bishop Sarah Mullally was ordained a priest in 2002 and later became the first female Bishop of London in 2018.
Her appointment as Archbishop was approved by King Charles III, following a selection process overseen by a commission chaired by a former head of MI5—Britain’s domestic security service.
In a public statement, Mullally acknowledged the “huge responsibility” of her new role and expressed a sense of “peace and trust in God to carry me.”
The Church of England is reported to have around 20 million baptized members, though the number of regular worshippers is less than one million (2022 data).
A Communion in Conflict
The Anglican Communion, spanning over 165 countries and tens of millions of adherents, has long been divided by disputes over gender, sexuality, and biblical interpretation.
One major critic, GAFCON, described Mullally’s appointment as abandoning global Anglicans, saying the Church of England had “relinquished its authority to lead.”
Reuters likewise reported GAFCON’s objection, stating the group viewed the appointment as deepening divisions and signaling that Canterbury no longer had moral authority in the Communion.
Some analysts suggest Mullally’s elevation could either further fracture the Communion or force new paths toward reconciliation.
