UMCN doesn’t endorse LGBTQ, didn’t change its name to GMCN – Yakku
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO
The leadership of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, UMCN has refuted speculations making the rounds that UMCN supports same same marriage and/or homosexuality.
It was also gathered that UMCN never changed its name to Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN).
This was contained in a Press Release signed by the Deacon of Cabinet UMCN, Rev. Eli Sule Yakku and issued to Journalists yesterday in Jalingo the State capital.
Yakku in the release further highlighted that UMCN since 1972 has had in its Book of Discipline, a prohibiting homosexuality, pointing out that the church was neutral while decisions were made during the Annual Conferences.
According to the Clergy, in May 2024, UMCN returned to its neutral position and gave the right for annual conferences and congregations to decide if they would allow same gender weddings.
Rev Eli Sule Yakku
He added that at the end of August, 2024 Conference, the four Nigeria Annual Conferences voted that they do not approve nor allow same gender weddings.
“We want the Nigeria public to be clear about the fact that UMCN doesn’t endorse LGBTQ or homosexual practices, our African cultures had forbidden it”,
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution clearly stimulated its abhorrence and totally against it”, he stated.
Rev. Yakku in the statement also refuted speculations making the rounds that UMCN has changed its name to GMCN advising the general public to disregard such claims and that it is false.
“Their claims that the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), has changed its name to Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) which is false and a deliberate attempt to take some properties of UMCN church to their new denomination”, he said.
The man of God said, UMCN has no comity agreement with GMCN and therefore, will not relinquish any of its properties to GMCN.
“The breakaway members of the UMCN (GMCN) are hell-bent on taking over the legitimate properties of the United Methodist Church without being mindful of the spiritual and social implications of their actions”,
“However, we urge our faithful members to be law abiding and remain peaceful, the law will take its course”, he added.
