The Church of Nigeria has officially rejected the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, describing the decision as “devastating” and one that “ignores the current situation”.

In a statement published on Facebook, Archbishop Henry C Ndukuba said the move, which will make her the first female fo lead the Anglican Communion, disregarded the convictions of “the majority of Anglicans [who] are unable to embrace female headship in the episcopate”.

He also expressed concern about Arcbishop-designate Sarah's support for same-sex marriage.

“Bishop Sarah Mullally is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage as evidenced in her speech in 2023, after a vote to approve the blessings of homosexuals when she described the result as a ‘moment of hope for the Church’ ”.

The Church of Nigeria maintains that same-sex relationships are not ordained by God and are incompatible with scripture. These opposing perspectives have contributed to ongoing schism within the Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Henry added that Arcbishop-designate Sarah's election would create further tensions. “It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion,” he said.

Hse added: “As a member of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms the GAFCON position unreservedly, and reaffirms our earlier stance to uphold the authority of the criptures.”

GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) is a movement of conservative Anglican churches and leaders, which first gathered officially in Jerusalem in 2008.

Archbishop Henry concluded: “This election is a further confirmation that the global Anglican world could no longer accept the leadership of the Church of England and that of the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Arcbishop-designate Sarah began working in the Anglican Church 24 years ago and was consecrated in 2015. She has served as Bishop of London for seven years and is due to take office as Archbishop of Canterbury in January next year.