Church of Nigeria Mullally’s Appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury!

Reported by David Joshua | Sele Media Africa

What’s Going On

• The Church of England named Bishop Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury on October 3, 2025. This is historic—she is the first woman to hold that position. [1]
• The decision has triggered strong opposition from GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) and other conservative Anglican factions (especially in Africa), who reject her appointment for multiple theological and doctrinal reasons. [2]
• GAFCON released a formal communiqué accusing the Church of England of “abandoning global Anglicans” and declaring that it no longer recognizes the Archbishop of Canterbury as the “Instrument of Communion.” [3]
• The Church of Nigeria has also publicly criticized her appointment, citing concerns over her support for same-sex blessings and her identity as a female bishop.

Key Reasons for the Dispute

• Gender & Leadership: Many conservative Anglicans maintain that episcopal leadership (bishops, archbishops) should be reserved for men, rooted in traditional interpretations of Scripture. [5]
• -Doctrine & Sexuality: Critics cite Mullally’s past support for blessings of same-sex relationships and argue that such positions conflict with orthodox Anglican doctrine as understood by conservative provinces. [6]
• Unity & Authority: GAFCON contends that the appointment undermines the unity of the Anglican Communion and erodes the moral authority of Canterbury to lead the global church. [3]

Citations:

1. Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-names-mullally-first-female-archbishop-lead-church-england-2025-10-03/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/anglican-grouping-gafcon-objects-female-archbishop-canterbury-2025-10-03/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. GAFCON: Global Anglicans: gafcon.org/communique-updates/canterbury-appointment-abandons-anglicans/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. gwg.ng: gwg.ng/2025/10/06/church-of-nigeria-rejects-bishop-sarah-mullally-as-head-of-anglican-communion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Premier Christian News: premierchristian.news/en/news/article/gafcon-rejects-new-archbishop-of-canterbury?utm_source=chatgpt.com
6. Christian Post: www.christianpost.com/news/sarah-mullallys-appointment-as-archbishop-lamented-by-gafcon.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Managing Editor of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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