Deadly violence in Nigeria tied to United Methodist Church schism over LGBTQ policies

A religious schism within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria has escalated to violence, resulting in the fatal shooting of a church member and the deaths of two young children in Taraba state. The schism arose from the UMC’s decision to repeal LGBTQ bans, leading to the formation of the Global Methodist Church by conservative breakaway churches. The Global Methodist Church held its inaugural general conference recently, with the UMC lifting bans on LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage but allowing local conferences to set their own standards. The West Africa Central Conference, which includes Nigeria, restricts marriage to heterosexual couples. Local United Methodist bishops have condemned the violence and called for peace, while the Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church is investigating the situation. Both groups have expressed a commitment to promoting peace and denouncing violence.

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