3 people killed in Nigeria as Methodist branches clash

A violent clash broke out Sunday in the northeastern state of Taraba between members of the United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church, according to UM News. Elisha Masoyi, 27, a United Methodist and brother of the church lay leader, was fatally shot. A toddler and a preschooler also died when attackers burned down several huts, according to UM News. At least 10 other people were injured. The fighting began at a UMC building in the village of Bunkabu, according to a statement from the UMC Council of Bishops. Government officials in September reportedly shut down churches in the village belonging to both denominations in an attempt to quell tensions. The GMC Assembly of Bishops on Monday released a statement condemning the attack and saying they were aware of allegations that members of their denomination were involved. Denomination leaders have not confirmed if GMC members were involved in the attack, and as of Wednesday afternoon, the organization had not responded to a request for comment.

Why are the denominations in conflict? The GMC was founded in 2022 and many churches and members that were once part of the UMC have joined the denomination. The group is more theologically conservative than the UMC and holds to the traditional Biblical definition of marriage, rejecting the UMC’s willingness to bless same-sex marriages. Both denominations claim to have control over the Nigerian Episcopal Area. Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna in July said the entire regional body had voted to join the GMC. Meanwhile, the UMC in August said Yohanna had resigned and that the church body had appointed an interim leadership team in Nigeria.

While the UMC does permit same-sex marriage, Nigerian law prohibits such relationships.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report in WORLD Magazine about the churches leaving the United Methodist Church denomination.