The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has again reaffirmed its commitment to regional autonomy amidst recent controversies.
The leadership of the church reaffirmed its commitment yesterday in Jalingo, Taraba state while responding to misinformation circulating regarding the global General Conference’s purported stance on same-sex marriage.
Clarifying the church’s position of the church, the led by Head of delegation, Southern Nigeria Annual Conference, Rev. Ande Emmanuel, called on all the members of the church to disregard any individual or group calling on them to break away from the church.
Stating that “their claims that the worldwide United Methodist Church has adopted same-sex marriage at its just concluded general conference held April 23 to May 3, 2024, in Charlotte North Carolina, United States of America is false and a misrepresentation of what actually took place at the general conference.”
Emphasizing their allegiance to the church’s core principles, the UMC, concept of worldwide regionalization, account to him, refers to a proposed structure change within the domination aimed at addressing global diversity and regional differences in theology and practice, including but not limited to the conflicts over human sexuality, within splitting the domination worldwide.”
Read also: Police crackdown on illegal tinted glass, covered number plates in Bauchi
Contrary to claims made by separatist factions, the worldwide General Conference, convened from April 23 to May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to Emmanuel, “did not endorse same-sex marriage” adding that *the delegates denounced such misinformation as an attempt to sow division within the church.”
“We are glad that our church, among other legislations, adopted the worldwide regionalization plan, a viable solution to the long-standing conflict in the church over the involvement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus (LGBTQ+) persons in the life and ministry of the church,. mostly in America and Europe, which has been truncating the vital ministry of our church.”
Amid these challenges, the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, as drummed by him, remains steadfast in its dedication to upholding its values and autonomy.”
