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The news service said the reported violence on Sunday stemmed
from a schism in the worldwide United Methodist Church over its
decision to repeal LGBTQ bans — and the ensuing formation of the
new Global Methodist Church by breakaway conservative churches.
According to the news service, a United Methodist church member
was shot and killed in a confrontation between both factions in
Taraba, a state in northeast Nigeria. Homes were set ablaze,
claiming the lives of two children, ages 2 and 4, of the
overseer of a United Methodist school and nursery, the news
service said. Another 10 church members were reported injured.
The worldwide Global Methodist Church held its inaugural general
conference earlier this year. It was created by churches
breaking away from the United Methodist Church — an
international denomination with a strong U.S. presence.
While the UMC, at its general conference in May, lifted its
longstanding bans on LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage, it
also granted local conferences the right to set their own
standards. The West Africa Central Conference, which includes
Nigeria, restricts marriage to between a man and a woman and
instructs its churches to follow national laws on LGBTQ issues,
according to the news service.
In a statement, local United Methodist bishops condemned the
violence and asked that there be no retribution.
"We are outraged that such an atrocity would occur among
Christians, especially brothers and sisters who were once part
of the same Methodist family,” they said in a statement.
“We further urge GMC members, at all levels, to put an immediate
end to the violence and refrain from disseminating
misinformation that fuels fear and disdain that can lead to
violence," they said.
The Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church issued a
statement saying it is actively looking into the allegations and
is seeking to determine what has happened.
“We mourn the loss of human life, decry the use of violence in
any form, and call on both Global Methodists and United
Methodists to serve as agents of peace," it said.
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