Archbishop of Canterbury condemns Nigerian bishop’s ‘dehumanising’ anti-gay remarks

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Nigerian archbishop Henry Ndukuba (wiki)

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has issued a rare public condemnation after Nigerian archbishop Henry Ndukuba said gay people should be “expunged.”

Ndukuba also called homosexuality a “deadly virus” in a statement issued on Friday 26 February 2021.

Welby, the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, has responded by calling Ndukuba’s comments “unacceptable” and “dehumanising.”

“Aggressive campaign for global homosexual culture”

In his statement, Ndukuba said: “The deadly ‘virus’ of homosexuality has infiltrated ACNA [The Anglican Church in North America].

“This is likened to a yeast that should be urgently and radically expunged and excised lest it affects the whole dough.”

The statement adds that “secular governments are adopting aggressive campaign for global homosexual culture [sic].” 

Welby, who is head of the global Anglican church and therefore leads Ndukuba, said in his own statement: “I completely disagree with and condemn this language.

“It is unacceptable. It dehumanises those human beings of whom the statement speaks.”

The Archbishop added: “I have written privately to His Grace The Archbishop [Ndukuba] to make clear that this language is incompatible with the agreed teaching of the Anglican Communion (expressed most clearly, albeit in unsuitable language for today, in paragraphs c and d of resolution I.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998). This resolution both restated a traditional view of Christian marriage and was clear in its condemnation of homophobic actions or words. It affirmed that ‘all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ.’

“The Anglican Communion continues to seek to walk together amidst much difference and through many struggles. I urge all Christians to join me in continuing prayer for the people and churches of Nigeria as they face economic hardship, terrorist attacks, religious-based violence and insecurity.

“The mission of the church is the same in every culture and country: to demonstrate, through its actions and words, that God’s offer of unconditional love to every human being through Jesus Christ calls us to holiness and hope.”

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