The United Methodist Church, (UMC) in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to regional autonomy, amidst swirling controversies on same-sex marriage.
The acceptance of the rights of Lebians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Queer Community, LGBTQ, by the headquarters of the church in the United States of America, has divided members back in Nigeria, between remaining loyal, or breaking away from the church’s mother body.
Since the Global Conference in North Carolina, in the United States of America, where the rights of Lebians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, and Queer Community have been accepted to be recognised by the United Methodist Church in America, the church in Nigeria, Taraba State, has been embroiled over where it stands.
A part of the delegation that attended the conference in the United States says it does not conform to adopting same-sex marriage in the Nigerian church, as alleged in some quarters.
Reverend Ande Emmanuel, who led the Nigerian delegation to the U.S., says the church is, however, pushing for regional autonomy, to allow the church to adopt principles that soothe its West African congregation.
He urged the United Methodist Church in Nigeria not to divide over the same-sex marriage controversy at its global level.
The clergyman says, the proposed structural change in the church, aims to address global diversity, regional differences in theology and practice, as well as contentious issues, such as human sexuality.
The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, with its headquarters in Jalingo, Taraba State, has in the past few months been divided on opinions over the acceptance of same-sex marriage by its founders in the United States of America.
More churches in Europe have continued to recognise the rights of the LGBTQ community, with their African counterparts breaking away in protest.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
