Religious divisions have turned deadly in Nigeria, with houses set on fire, church members shot and two young children killed, according to United Methodist News Service.
The news agency said Sunday’s reported violence was due to the split in the United Methodist Church around the world over the decision to repeal the LGBTQ ban, and the subsequent departure of conservative churches from the new World Methodist Church. He said that it originated from the formation of the group.
According to the news agency, a member of the United Methodist Church was shot dead during clashes between two sects in Taraba state in northeastern Nigeria. The news agency said the home of a United Methodist school and day care director was set on fire, claiming the lives of her two children, ages 2 and 4. An additional 10 church members were reported injured.
The worldwide Global Methodist Church held its first general conference earlier this year. The church was founded by a church that broke away from the United Methodist Church, an international denomination with a strong presence in the United States.
At that point, UMC May general conference, It lifted longstanding bans on LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage, and also granted local councils the right to set their own standards. The Central Conference of West Africa, which includes Nigeria, has restricted marriage to between a man and a woman and directed the country’s churches to comply with national laws on LGBTQ issues, the news agency said.
Local United Methodist bishops issued a statement condemning the violence and asking for no retaliation.
“We are outraged that such atrocities occur among Christians, especially among our 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 immediately stop the violence and refrain from disseminating misinformation that incites fear and contempt that could lead to violence,” they said.
The Global Methodist Church Bishops’ Conference issued a statement saying it is actively investigating the allegations and trying to determine what happened.
“We mourn the loss of life, condemn the use of violence in any form, and call on both Global Methodists and United Methodists to serve as agents of peace.”
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