Escalating Violence Among Methodists in Nigeria Amidst Doctrinal Disputes
Violence among Methodists in Nigeria has escalated due to disputes over property and doctrinal changes following the UMC’s decisions regarding marriage. An attack on February 17 at Banyam Theological Seminary led to injuries, arrests, and military intervention. Both the UMC and GMC have since made statements denouncing violence, yet unresolved tensions continue to complicate the landscape.
Violence has erupted among Methodists in Nigeria, fueled by ongoing tensions stemming from the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) recent shifts in doctrinal teachings on marriage. This unrest escalated on February 17, at Banyam Theological Seminary, amid disputes over the ownership of church properties between the UMC and the breakaway Global Methodist Church (GMC). The matter is currently pending resolution through the Nigerian legal system.
Bishop Scott Jones detailed that during a worship service about the Central Nigerian Annual Conference, a faction supporting the UMC disrupted the proceedings. Seeking to avert conflict, conference organizers relocated the event. However, UMC supporters returned to the seminary armed, resulting in property destruction and assaults on GMC members, which required intervention from the Nigerian Army to restore order.
Bishop Jones reported multiple injuries, including hospitalizations due to blows from machetes and gun attacks. He indicated that amid the chaos, a conference attendee was temporarily confined to a room with another individual. Reports by the United Methodist News Service also corroborated the violence linked to property disputes between the two church factions, highlighting discrepancies in the narratives provided by UMC and GMC bishops.
In the aftermath, UMC Bishop Ande Emmanuel initially described the incidents as an “altercation” and did not explicitly condemn the aggression. However, he later recognized the need for peace, directing criticism toward GMC members while addressing earlier incidents of violence, notably one in December that led to fatalities. Both church factions have released statements expressing their commitment to peace and denouncing violence.
Moreover, complexity surrounds these disputes as violence in Nigeria often intertwines with longstanding familial conflicts, complicating motives behind such outbreaks. A December incident that resulted in fatalities further demonstrates the volatile nature of the situation. The GMC has reiterated calls for peace and denounced the violence, stressing mutual understanding among congregants while hoping for clarity regarding these events.
The conflicts among Methodists in Nigeria stem from a combination of doctrinal changes and property disputes, leading to violence at the Banyam Theological Seminary. While leaders from both the UMC and GMC express commitments to peace, the situation remains complicated, underscored by a lack of coherent narratives surrounding the incidents. It is paramount for both denominations to prioritize peace while addressing underlying tensions constructively.
Original Source: juicyecumenism.com
