Deadly Violence among Section of The United Methodist Church of Nigeria “very” Disappointing: Catholic Bishop

In the Thursday, December 19 interview with ACI Africa, Bishop Maigida lamented, “We feel highly disappointed that within the Christian family, division arising from human weakness can even lead to violence.”

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop added, “We have been hearing of the factions within UMCN but I didn't know it would get to this violent stage. We feel very disappointed that this can happen. Despite successive governments' intervention in the states, these people cannot listen.”

Antagonism among members of the UMCN has festered for years. The 2022 formation of the theologically conservative GM Church and the resignation of bishop Johnwesley Yohanna earlier this year aggravated the conflict. 

After decades of debate, in May, the United Methodist Church (UMC) voted to lift bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating same-sex weddings. Delegates also allowed regional conferences to establish their own standards in alignment with local laws and UMC doctrine.

At the 10th session of the West Africa Central Conference that was held December 5-8 in Ghana’s capital city, Accra, UMC leaders amended the regional Book of Discipline to affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman and that episcopal territories must adhere to national laws, such as Nigeria’s ban on same-gender marriage.

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In Nigeria, tensions escalated, with UMC Bishop Schol reporting harassment, violence, and property destruction. Despite urging peace and addressing concerns to GM Church bishops overseeing Nigeria, the antagonism continued, leading to the December 15 confrontation.

In the December 19 interview with ACI Africa, Bishop Maigida attributed the violence to a fundamental misunderstanding of Christianity's core teachings.

“Are they taking life in the name of religion or are they taking life in the name of their lack of understanding of the religion?" the Nigerian Catholic Bishop posed.

Resorting to violence contradicts Christian values, he said, adding, “I think its lack of understanding of the religion.”

“I don't think it's in the name of Christianity. These are people who have their agenda, maybe, and they are using the church to achieve their agenda.  They do not represent the Christian teaching on love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. So, they are not doing it in the name of the religion. They are doing it because of ignorance about the religions that they claim they profess.”

The Local Ordinary of Wukari Diocese said he is concerned about the timing of the violence, during preparations for Christmas. “Doing this at this holy season when we are preparing to celebrate our salvation in Christ makes it even worse, a scandal to a non-Christian world. It's scandalous to us as Christians, but also especially the non-believers, because this is our holy season,” he said.

“This is the time of reconciliation. This is the time we are supposed to seek forgiveness. This is the time that we're supposed to put our past behind us because Christ has come precisely for our weakness to save us,” the pioneer Bishop of Wukari Diocese, where he started his Episcopal Ministry in April 2023 further said. 

The schism in the Methodist Church, Bishop Maigida said, stems from divisions over LGBTQ inclusion, which he dismissed as “unbiblical and unnecessary.”

“I don't know why this discussion should even arise in the first place. Whatever it is, what does LGBTQ represent? What part of the Christian teaching does it represent? What kind of Christianity teaches that?” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop posed. 

He continued, “The Christian teaching is very clear from the scriptures. From the beginning, God made them male and female, very distinct genders that we should live distinctly, and within that context, establish a relationship of love within the context of a family.”

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Amid the challenges Methodists are experiencing, hope is important, the Nigerian Catholic Bishop said, and added, “Christmas is the season God has given us to celebrate his presence among us. No matter how far we have strayed, God is with us, offering peace and forgiveness.”

He called upon Christians to embrace reconciliation and foster unity during this season, reiterating that violence contradicts the essence of Christian faith.

Abah Anthony John contributed to the writing of this story.

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