A United Methodist Church (UMC) bishop and his team were attacked while carrying out ministry work in Nigeria. During the incident, a vehicle from their convoy was also damaged.
UMC Council of Bishops President, Tracy Malone, addressed the situation in a statement released on Wednesday. She reported that Bishop Ande Emmanuel and other UMC members in the Nigerian Episcopal Area were targeted by an unidentified group.
Condemnation of Violence and Call for Peace
Bishop Malone strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence only leads to more harm and division.
“We strongly condemn the use of violence as a means of conflict resolution,” she stated. “Such actions only cause further suffering. We urge all parties to seek peaceful and constructive ways to resolve their differences.”
She also encouraged UMC members in Nigeria not to respond to violence with retaliation.
“As followers of Jesus Christ, we must continue to be beacons of hope, peace, and love even in the midst of chaos,” she added.
Bishop Malone reassured that she and other church leaders are keeping Bishop Emmanuel, his family, and the entire UMC community in Nigeria in their prayers.
“We pray for their safety and well-being. We also pray for peace, justice, and reconciliation for the people of Nigeria,” she said. She further quoted Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Background on Bishop Emmanuel
Bishop Emmanuel was elected in December as a bishop of the UMC’s West Africa Central Conference after serving as a leader in the Southern Nigeria Conference. He succeeded former Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who resigned in July. Before their falling out in 2021, Emmanuel had been one of Yohanna’s key aides.
Ongoing Conflict Within the UMC
The UMC has faced deep internal divisions over issues such as same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy. For decades, the church’s official stance prohibited such practices. However, at the UMC General Conference last year, delegates voted to remove these restrictions from the church’s governing document, the Book of Discipline.
This decision followed the departure of thousands of conservative churches from the UMC to join the newly formed Global Methodist Church (GMC). The split has led to tensions over church property and leadership, particularly in Nigeria.
Violence and Disputes in Nigeria
The situation in Nigeria has been particularly tense, as the country’s laws criminalize same-sex marriage and LGBTQ advocacy. Last July, former Bishop Yohanna claimed that the Nigerian Episcopal Area had voted to join the GMC. However, UMC officials disputed this, stating that only a portion of the 560,000-member Nigerian Episcopal Area had chosen to disaffiliate.
The division has led to violent confrontations. In December, three UMC members were killed, and several homes were burned in Munga Dosa during a conflict between UMC and GMC members. The GMC Assembly of Bishops expressed sorrow over the violence, condemning any form of aggression and calling for peace.
Most recently, both denominations reported further violence at Banyam Theological Seminary, a historically UMC-affiliated institution where the GMC held a conference.
A Plea for Reconciliation
As conflicts persist, church leaders continue to advocate for nonviolence and unity. Bishop Malone’s message serves as a reminder that the church should be a source of healing, not division.
“May we, as followers of Jesus Christ, continue to be instruments of peace in a world torn apart by conflict and violence,” she urged.
The hope remains that dialogue, faith, and a commitment to peace will ultimately guide the Methodist community in Nigeria toward reconciliation.
