In a bold move, the former Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), John-Wesley Yohanna, has stepped down from his position, citing the church’s recent approval of LGBTQ inclusion as the key reason behind his decision. The Nigerian bishop, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, expressed his strong opposition to the General Conference’s decision, which, according to him, goes against both the teachings of the Bible and Nigeria’s legal framework.
Reflecting on his early days as a Christian, Bishop Yohanna emphasized that homosexuality was never part of his teachings in catechism or the Bible. “When I became a Christian, I was taught nothing like homosexuality. The Bible, particularly in Genesis Chapter 2, describes marriage as a union between a man and a woman. God’s design was clear, and anything beyond that is a departure from Christian doctrine,” he remarked.
The controversy surrounding LGBTQ rights has been brewing within the United Methodist Church (UMC) for years. While the global UMC has faced ongoing debates about LGBTQ inclusion, the Nigerian church has remained staunchly conservative. Bishop Yohanna explained that, despite previous votes rejecting LGBTQ acceptance, the 2024 General Conference approved the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals, which became a tipping point for him and many Nigerian congregants.
Bishop Yohanna also highlighted the legal implications of remaining with the UMC. “The law of this country is against homosexuality. As members of the church in Nigeria, if we continue to remain in the UMC, we shall contravene the Constitution of our land, and the country can hold us liable,” he stated.
In response, Bishop Yohanna has aligned with the Global Methodist Church (GMC), a breakaway faction from the UMC that does not recognize LGBTQ inclusion in its doctrine. He expressed that the GMC’s values are in line with his beliefs and those of many Nigerian Methodists.
On June 1, 2024, Bishop Yohanna formally informed the government of Taraba State and other relevant bodies about the UMC’s new stance. By July 29, 2024, he officially resigned, sending a letter to the Council of Bishops, which responded by appreciating his years of service and accepting his resignation.
Bishop Yohanna’s resignation marks a significant moment in the ongoing global debate within the Methodist Church, with local leaders and congregations grappling with balancing religious beliefs, legal structures, and evolving social norms.
