The Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Dr Alexander Ibezim has cried out that the Church is under attack through the agents of darkness and bad leadership.
Ibezim said this with an example of the recent nomination of Dame Sarah Mullally, as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, on the basis of the theology that compromises Biblical truth on the delicate matters of sexuality and gender.
He made this statement during his words of admonition to the faithful at the Church of The Pentecost, Awka, on Sunday.
He cited the importance of believers being wise and upright in doing things of the Lord.
Ibezim said that personally he backs the views of the Church of Nigeria and the leadership of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) on the matter, frowning at the decision that has been made.
He emphasised on the negative impact the action could have on the younger generation of Christians who look up to the leaders to emulate absolute morality and teachings that are biblically based and accurate.
He said that the church is in trouble not only in London and noted that about 15 thousand churches may close down in a few years in the US because of the kind of leaders who do not teach and insist on absolute morality in the governance of the church.
The cleric said that when leaders who do not have the mind of Christ are positioned in authority the Church gradually begins to dwindle and the youths start to toe the wrong paths of life.
“We condemn acts that are at variance with the biblical teachings and this is our reason to fight against wrong standards to save the younger generation from immorality.
“We teach absolute truth not relative so that people will live in absolute morality, where they will know the truth of a matter and live by it and not political morality to please the thirst,” he said.
He advised that leaders in their various positions of authority should not compromise their positions but should build a healthier and safer world where truth and morality rules above all.
Ibezim cited Matthew chapter 25 verses 1 to 9 in the Holy Bible the story of the ten virgins and advised the faithful to engage in a faithful and honest living in their daily lives having in mind that the ultimate goal is to make heaven .
“When I complete my episcopal I will hand over the baton to the next leader to continue as we do not want our people to be submerged in immorality,” he said
The Archbishop also joined the church to celebrate the 2025 Birthday harvest and the month of August celebrants in praises and worship to thank God Almighty for addition of new year to their lives.
Ibezim turned 63 years on August 5, and was very elated to be part of the parishioners celebrating their birthday with harvest and thanksgiving.
Reports have it that the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury on October 3, 2025 to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in January 2026 has received criticism from the Church of Nigeria.
Mullally was prior to ordination, the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England, specialized as a cancer nurse. She schooled at South Bank University, London and Heythrop College, University of London and trained for ministry of South East Institute of Theological Education.
She completed her title at St Saviour Battersea Fields, in the Diocese of Southwark and was ordained as a priest in 2002.
The Nigeria Church maintains that the appointment made it impossible for the Archbishop of Canterbury to serve as a focus of unity. The Church of Nigeria maintains that the scripture defines marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman.
Earlier in a sermon titled, “Operation 10 Times Better” the visiting preacher, Revd. Israel Odita from the Niger Diocese said that the theme for the eight days programme is to expose the faithful to their religious duties in their day-to-day living.
Odita cited the character of King Nebuchadnezzar a great king, as recorded in the Holy bible Daniel 1 verses 1 to 20 as a king with a fearful influence over his subjects and beyond.
He said that Daniel and his team did not deny their God for any reason and urged the parishioners to live righteously in their everyday lives and relationships with the public as Christians.
“It is very possible for the professors of Christ to live exemplary life in their everyday duties so be ten times better than your co -workers as it is a way to promote the gospel too, ”he said.
