A violent conflict stemming from a religious divide has erupted in Nigeria, leading to the tragic deaths of a church member and two young children, while homes were also set ablaze. Reports indicate that this unrest is linked to a split within the global United Methodist Church regarding its decisions on LGBTQ policies and the subsequent establishment of the Global Methodist Church by conservative congregations.
On Sunday, a member of the United Methodist Church was shot dead during clashes between the two opposing factions in Taraba, located in northeast Nigeria. The violence not only resulted in this fatality but also claimed the lives of two children, aged 2 and 4, who were the offspring of a United Methodist school overseer. Additionally, around ten other church members sustained injuries during the altercations.
Earlier this year, the Global Methodist Church convened its first general conference after its formation by congregations departing from the United Methodist Church, which has significant representation in the United States.
During its general conference in May, the United Methodist Church lifted long-standing prohibitions on LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage, granting local conferences the authority to determine their own standards. In contrast, the West Africa Central Conference, which encompasses Nigeria, maintains a traditional view of marriage as being between one man and one woman and mandates its churches to adhere to national laws regarding LGBTQ matters.
Local bishops associated with the United Methodist Church have expressed their outrage regarding the violence and have called for peace and the cessation of retaliation. They emphasized their distress over such events taking place among Christians and urged members of the Global Methodist Church at all levels to halt any violence and to avoid spreading misinformation that could incite further conflict.
The Assembly of Bishops from the Global Methodist Church also released a statement, affirming that they are actively investigating the incidents to understand what transpired. They expressed their sorrow over the loss of life and condemned the use of violence, appealing to both Global and United Methodists to act as peacekeepers during these turbulent times.
