BY : Michael Gryboski, Editor
A Nigerian court has sided with The United Methodist Church against Global Methodists in a legal battle over the registration and resources of the mainline denomination.
High Court Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued an order earlier this week directing the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to reverse a decision altering the United Methodist Church in Nigeria to the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.
Additionally, Egwuatu ordered the Zenith Bank Plc to grant the UMC immediate control of the accounts that the denomination has with the bank, reported the Lagos, Nigeria-based news outlet The Nation.
Egwuatu ruled that the CAC violated the Companies and Allied Matters Act, specifically the law’s official process for changing the names and trustees of an incorporated entity.
He also concluded that members of the denomination have to follow its regulations and rules regarding association and disaffiliation, and that the court could not overrule them.
“A member of an association can associate or disassociate from an association and not [leave] the association by changing the name of the association,” said Egwuatu, as quoted by The Nation.
UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area Bishop Ande Emmanuel issued a statement in response to the ruling, calling for reconciliation between the UMC and the Global Methodists in the country.
“This is not a moment of celebration, but a moment for healing. It is time to mend what has been broken between The United Methodist Church in Nigeria and the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria,” stated Emmanuel, according to UM News.
“We extend a hand of fellowship to our brothers and sisters — if you wish to return, you are welcome. And if you choose to continue your journey with GMCN, we remain open to dialogue, so we can understand your needs and support you in peace and unity.”
For decades, the UMC was embroiled in debate over whether to amend its Book of Discipline to allow for the blessing of same-sex marriage and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals.
During that time, efforts to remove the Book of Discipline language at the churchwide gathering General Conference failed, in large part due to delegates representing the UMC in Africa.
However, many theological liberals within the UMC refused to follow or enforce the rules, prompting thousands of mostly theologically conservative congregations to leave the denomination.
At the 2024 General Conference, delegates finally voted to remove the language, prompting many churches and leaders in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa to consider disaffiliation.
Not only are same-sex marriage and the sexual act of homosexuality illegal in Nigeria, but the government also prohibits its citizens from being active in LGBT advocacy organizations.
In July 2024, Nigerian Bishop John Wesley Yohanna sent a statement to state officials saying that, at a special called session, the regional body voted to leave the UMC and join the GMC.
However, a group of Nigerian UMC leaders released a statement disputing Yohanna’s claims, arguing that only the former bishop and about 10% of the regional body had left the UMC.
Disputes over which Methodist denomination rightfully owns the property and resources in Nigeria has led to periodic violence. For example, members of both groups clashed at Banyam Theological Seminary in February of last year.
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