By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The internal war in the global United Methodist Church(UMC) has taken a new dimension as the Southern Conference of the church in Taraba State disassociated itself from the recent decision by the General Conference to approve same-sex marriage among its adherents.
The group, on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 in a press briefing held in Jalingo, the state capital, labelled the move as “unholy” and “unethical,” saying the South Conference rejects the legislation adopted in the General Conference of the church in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America.
Led by the Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev Philip Micah Dopah, the leadership of the church said, the southern conference firmly stands by the scriptures, hence its decision to reject the legislation.
At the just concluded General Conference, approval for LGBTQ individuals to be ordained as pastors, participate in same-sex weddings and as well hold any position of their choice within the church, was approved.
Disturbed by the development which they described as unholy and unethical, the aggrieved group said on no account would they recognize such a decision which according to them contradicts the Christian Holy Book.
They maintained, “We in the Southern Conference are standing solidly by the scripture of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Flanked by the Conference Secretary, Latoya John Ezekiel and other officials of the church in Taraba, they insisted that lifting the ban on LGBTQ, as unanimously announced by the General Conference, will not see the light of day in the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The leaders who reaffirmed their commitment to traditional Christian teachings as laid down by John Wesley, of England, asked members to remain calm and wait for the next line of action.
They assured them that strong measures were being implemented to address the issue, which Dopah noted contradicts the Nigerian constitution and the African traditions.
“Same-sex marriage and LGBTQ practices are prohibited by Nigerian law. We will not advise or take any decision that will be against the law of Nigeria. We urge our members to remain calm, knowing that we will remain steadfast to the correct teachings of the church, according to the Bible.”
The decision of the Southern Conference of the church in the state highlights the ongoing tension within global UMC over LGBTQ inclusion in church activities.
