Orthodox Anglican Church, not Same as Church of Nigeria- Bishop

…Anglican, an English word says Awe

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has warned  her clergy, members and the general public that the Church is not the same as the Orthodox Anglican  Church

Bishop Odedeji

In a release personally signed by the bishop of the Lagos West Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Right Reverend  Olusola Odedeji, titled, “Re: Urgent information to all, Clergy and members of the Diocese.”

Odedeji reminded the members that the Church of Nigeria,  Aglican Communion, and Lagos West in particular are not in communion with the said Orthodox Anglican Church and therefore cautioned that non-compliance to the directive will attract  sanction as contained in the Constitution of the Diocese.

” Our attention has just been drawn to the establishment of a new church called Orthodox Anglican Church in lagos. For the avoidance of confusion and truth distortion in any form, let us quickly acquaint you with the following on the said church,” the Bishop said.

Priests

He warned Priests in the diocese not to be lured into officiating in any programme of the Orthodox Anglican Church among others, “No Bishop, Clergy or member of the said church is allowed to officiate, or participate in any service or programme in the  Diocese of Lagos West, under whatever guise.

“Ensure this directive is shared with all parishioners in the Diocese immediately. No one should claim ignorance of this important information. Any form of non-compliance will attract stiff sanction in accordance with the provisions in the Constitution of the Diocese,” he stated.

The directive may not be unconnected to the recent creation of the first two dioceses of the Orthodox Anglican Church in Lagos on the 24th of March, 2020, namely, Lagos mainland and Lagos Island Dioceses of the  Church.

The creation of the new Dioceses took place at the cathedral Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Benin city, Edo state presided  over by the Rt. Rev. C. I. Umane, Bishop of Benin and head of the Church in Nigeria.

The Orthodox Anglican Communion was founded in California  United State of America in 1963. The founders intended to establish a conservative and low-church alternative to the Episcopal Church.

It came to Nigeria in August 2011 in Benin as its headquarters, and was registered on September 18, 2012. It has other dioceses – Diocese of Benin, Ogun, Edo North Central, Abia and Oyo.

Others are Edo North-Central and Diocese of the East

Most Rev. Ndukauba

In reaction to the memo of  Bishop Odedeji, the Bishop-elect of Lagos Mainland, Orthodox Anglican Church, the Revd. Funso Awe maintained that the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has no monopoly over the name ‘Anglican’ even as the new Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Revd.Henry Ndukuba has also dismissed the existence of the church stating that it would institute a legal action against it.

Awe, who voluntarily retired as a priest in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion in November 2019
said he had nothing to do with the Church of Nigeria again wonderers why the church came up with such statement added that their name Orthodox is distinct.

Ven.Awe

Revd Awe who was a governorship candidate in Lagos state in the  2019 general elections, maintained  that the name Anglican is not a monopoly of the Church of Nigeria hence it’s an English word.

He further stated that the name Anglican, like the name Apostolic, is a generic name, several other Churches bear the name ‘Anglican’ on the global front the same way we have churches with the name Apostolic. So, there is no basis for the press  releases from the Church of Nigeria.