UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area rejects same sex marriage
Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The United Methodist Church, Nigeria Episcopal Area has rejected the resolution of its General Assembly where it was agreed that persons of same sex can marry themselves.
The UMC Bishop, Nigeria Episcopal Area, John Wilsley disclosed the position of the church to journalists shortly after the Joint Special Call Session of the church held in Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital.
The Bishop stated that the teachings of same sex marriage was not biblical as such, members of the church in Nigeria, where he leads would never accept such teachings.
“As a leader of the church in Nigeria, I want to tell you that we reject the resolution of the general Assembly on homosexuality and we stand against it. I want to call on all members of the United Methodist Church, Nigeria Episcopal Area and the general public to stand by biblical truth and standard that marriage is between a man and a woman”, he added.
The Bishop frowned at the attitude of a faction of the church, whom he alleged had deserted the church for over three years but had been going about deceiving people that the incompatible language have not been removed from the book of discipline of the church.
“The resolution on incompatible language has been passed for decades. It was resolved that homosexuality is incompatible with christian teachings.
“This is where we stand. I however, wonder why a group of persons led by Pastor Ande would now be going about telling people that incompatible language has not been removed.
“Ande was one of those who fought for the removal of this incompatible language. He belong to UMC mainstream and that is the main body that was working hard to remove the incompatible language. He belongs to African Voice of Unity where he had a paper, a mail in which he encouraged people that he is working with Christmas covenant and Christmas covenant is one of those who worked against the removal of the incompatible language.
“He is the board member of the organization that work against the removal of the incompatible language. How then he lied to Nigerians that the incompatible language was not removed. Whoever tells you that the incompatible language was not removed in the UMC is a lier”, the Bishop stated.
While expressing his willingness to accept the breakaway faction, Bishop Wilsley revealed that the faction had taken the Board of Trustees of the Church and himself to State High Court in Jalingo and it was in their best interest to withdraw all the cases if truly they are genuine in their quest for reconciliation.
Meanwhile, the Joint Session in Jalingo resolved that the break away factions of the church would no longer be treated as UMC members since they continuously turn down the several calls and invitations to come back to the church but rather, chose to operate in isolation.
The session mandated the Secretary, Dr Aliu Mbiko to immediately write to the President, West Africa College of Bishops to call the Special Session in February, to enable them ascertain their position on certain issues including the issue of regionalisation, before the General Assembly.
Also, members at the Session resolved that if the Special Session of the Central Conference was not conducted before the General Conference 2024, the UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area Board of Trustees by the meeting are mandated to begin the process of changing the name of the church “because currently, there are Gay and Lesbians Bishops including clergy and this is a clear violation of church laws”.
Meanwhile, the Conference Secretary of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, Rev. Ande Emmanuel has debunk the impression created by the Bishop of UMCN in a statement in Jalingo.
“On behalf of the faithful members of the church who resolved to remain in the United Methodist Church irrespective of the decision of the Worldwide assembly of the Church.
“I want to debunk the false impression being created by one Bishop Yohanna, who now work for the new breakaway denomination called “Global Methodist Church” against the United Methodist Church”, that the postponed June 1 Special Session was held successfully and that the United Methodist Church Worldwide has endorsed homosexuality.
“The public should note that it was base oñ the above Church laws that the June 1 special session was called specifically to unveil the Path Forward Just Resolutions that were reach on the formal complainants filed against Bishop Yohanna for disobedience to the laws and order of the church, undermining the ministry of other pastors, Financial embezzlement, intimidation and harassment of pastors and members to join his new breakaway denomination called “Global Methodist Church.
“I wish to call the attention of the Government to note all these and ask Bishop Yohanna to focus on his new denomination and leave those who want to remain in the United Methodist Church alone to do their work or be held accountable for what happens in the church.
“We call on the faithful members of the United Methodist Church to stay peaceful and law abiding as we await the step in the Path Forward process.
Conclusively, the worldwide United Methodist Church has not endorsed homosexuality as falsely claimed by Bishop Yohanna – he said.