The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has again preached strongly against same-sex marriage.
Rt. Rev. Godwin Robinson, Bishop Lafia Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), said this while delivering the Bishop’s Charge during the Diocese’s 8th Synod’s 3rd Session.
Mt. Zion Anglican Church Mararaba in Nasarawa State is hosting the Synod.
Robinson, who educated the congregation on global issues, informed the congregation about the outcome of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from April 17 to 21.
According to him, the Nigerian church, which was present at the convention, took a stand in opposition to the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States, both of which favour same-sex marriage.
While Nigeria’s bloc, the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, is made up primarily of Churches from Africa and Asia, others led by England and the United States of America support same-sex marriage.
The cleric was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria saying: “We do not regard the word of God as a relative truth. We stand on Resolution 1:10 of Lambeth 1998 which affirmed marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman stating clearly that same-sex marriage is wrong.
“Homosexual practices are incompatible with scripture,” the cleric added.
He stated that he and other Nigerian delegates attended the Kigali Convention, which brought over 1,302 delegates from 52 countries around the world who spoke out against such terrible acts in the world.
“GAFCON promised to prioritise youth and children ministry and use discipleship to equip them for a lifetime of ministry, committed to demonstrating the compassion of Christ through the many GAFCON Mercy Ministries, among others.”
Rev. Canon Okwuchukwu told newsmen that the gathering was important not just for the church but also to debate societal issues.
Okwuchukwu, who is also the Vicar of Mt. Zion Anglican Church Mararaba, stated that the church of God has always been close to society.
He believes that if society is doing well, the church will do well as well.
He continued: “As a matter of fact, we all have seen what is happening in the country, and way back even in the Bible times, the church has been playing a vital role in the moulding of nations.
“For us as a nation, we have actually gone too far away from where we should be to the point that even the little children can boldly tell you that the country has a problem.
“There is, therefore, the need to seek God’s intervention in the pains Nigeria is going through,” he said.
