The Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) passed a vote of no confidence on its British counterpart on Friday, over the latter’s approval of same-sex marriage.

The spokesperson of the church in Lagos, Oladapo Daramola, said that the Church is displeased over the decision of the British Church in favour of same-sex marriage.

According to him, the position of MCN was made known by its Prelate, His Eminence Chukwumerije Kanu-Uche, in a message shared with members on July 2.

Mr Kanu-Uche announced that MCN was cutting formal ties with the British Methodist Church (BMC) due to the latter’s decision to vote in favour of same-sex marriage at the just-concluded conference.

He said that what the British Methodist Conference had done was predicted by John Wesley when he said that “a time will come when the Methodist Church will exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion and denying the power thereof unless they continue with the spiritual fervency with which they first started.”

The prelate reminded the members that the British Methodist Church was no longer the mother Church of MCN.

“She is only a sister Church. MCN gained autonomy in 1962 and became autocephalous in 1963. So, we can part ways with the British Conference and have nothing to lose.

“I only pity those romancing with them because of pecuniary interest.

“The suggestion to write or visit the British Methodist Conference is an insult on Methodist church.

He, however, said the Church will wait to receive a detailed report from the accredited delegate to the conference and make an informed decision at the August 2021 consultation.

“As a remedial measure, let every Bishop and Archbishop tell our members that MCN does not support gay or same-sex marriage,” Mr Kanu-Uche said.

The Nigerian House of Representatives had, during the 7th assembly passed a resolution against same-sex marriage, citing its un-African nature.