Abstract Book of the 4th International Conference on LGBT Studies
Year: 2025
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Doctrinal Tussle; The Lambeth Conference versus the Nigerian Anglican Communion
Oluseye Fakinlede
ABSTRACT:
This paper discusses the doctrinal conflicts, and divergent theological, cultural, and socio-political stances within the global Anglican Communion, particularly between the Lambeth Conference and the Nigerian Anglican Church, on issues of homosexuality and women’s ordination, and its deliberate dissociation from the Church of England over those contentious doctrines. With a focus on the theories of postcolonialism, articulation, and hegemony, the study examines the Nigerian Church’s rejection of perceived neo-colonial impositions from the Western Church, maintaining patriarchal and traditional biblical interpretations to preserve its cultural identity. While the 1998 Lambeth Conference marked a pivotal moment, during the then Primate Adetiloye, his successor, Primate Peter Akinola, championed the adoption of Resolution 1.10, affirming traditional views on sexuality and rejecting revisions to Anglican orthodoxy, and the subsequent consecration of openly gay bishops in the U.S prompted Nigeria to sever ties with the Canterbury See, asserting its theological and administrative independence. This schism also reflects Nigeria’s broader socio-political context, where laws criminalizing homosexuality align with the Church’s rigid stance on sexuality. Additionally, the paper explores the limited roles assigned to women in the Nigerian Church, reflecting entrenched cultural norms despite their critical contributions to church growth. Ultimately, the study situates these conflicts within the global Anglican framework, illustrating the ongoing struggle for unity amidst theological pluralism. The Nigerian Church’s actions, driven by a blend of doctrinal fidelity and cultural preservation, underscore a profound assertion of sovereignty within the Anglican Communion.
Keywords: Lambeth Conference, church of Nigeria, homosexuality, Anglican