A violent religious divide has escalated in Nigeria, resulting in the fatal shooting of a church member and the deaths of two young children as homes were set on fire, as reported by United Methodist News Service.
The violence, which occurred on Sunday, is linked to a schism within the global United Methodist Church regarding its decision to lift bans on LGBTQ individuals, leading to the establishment of the new Global Methodist Church by conservative congregations that have separated from the original denomination.
The news service detailed that a member of the United Methodist Church was killed during a clash between the two factions in Taraba, a northeastern state in Nigeria. Tragically, two children, aged 2 and 4, who were the offspring of the overseer of a United Methodist school and nursery, lost their lives in the fires. Additionally, ten other church members sustained injuries.
Earlier this year, the Global Methodist Church convened its first general conference, formed by congregations that have distanced themselves from the United Methodist Church, which has a significant presence in the United States.
While the UMC removed its long-standing prohibitions on LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage during its general conference in May, it also allowed local conferences to establish their own policies. The West Africa Central Conference, which encompasses Nigeria, maintains that marriage should be between a man and a woman and directs its churches to adhere to national laws regarding LGBTQ matters, as noted by the news service.
In response to the violence, local United Methodist bishops issued a statement denouncing the acts and calling for an end to retribution. “We are appalled that such a tragedy could occur among Christians, particularly among those who were once part of the same Methodist community,” they stated.
The Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church has called upon GMC members at every level to promptly cease all acts of violence and to avoid spreading misinformation that incites fear and animosity, which can escalate into further violence.
In their statement, the Assembly emphasized that they are currently investigating the allegations to ascertain the facts surrounding the situation.
“We grieve the loss of life, condemn all forms of violence, and urge both Global Methodists and United Methodists to act as ambassadors of peace,” the statement concluded.
