John-Wesley Yohanna, former Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), has revealed the reasons behind his resignation, citing his strong opposition to the church’s decision to recognize LGBTQ members. Yohanna, who served as bishop for nearly 12 years, spoke about his resignation and addressed accusations regarding the repatriation of a Zimbabwean bishop by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Resignation Over LGBTQ Legalization
Yohanna explained that his decision to step down came after the United Methodist Church (UMC) voted to recognize LGBTQ members during its General Conference in May 2024. He shared his firm belief in traditional Christian teachings on marriage, stating that homosexuality was not part of the faith he had been taught.
“When I became a Christian, I was taught that marriage is between a man and a woman, as outlined in Genesis Chapter 2,” Yohanna said. “The Nigerian church has always opposed homosexuality, and we have consistently voted against its recognition at General Conferences.”
He noted that Nigerian laws criminalize homosexuality and that continuing to be part of a church that recognizes LGBTQ members would put him and his congregation at odds with the country’s constitution. “The laws of our country take precedence over any other constitution, including that of the church,” Yohanna emphasized. As a result, he and his congregation aligned with the Global Methodist Church (GMC), a breakaway faction that upholds traditional views on marriage.
On July 29, 2024, Yohanna submitted his resignation to the UMC Council of Bishops, citing the church’s shift in its stance on LGBTQ issues. The Council accepted his resignation and thanked him for his years of service.
Addressing Allegations on Repatriation of Zimbabwean Bishop
Yohanna also addressed accusations that he was involved in the repatriation of UMC Bishop Nhiwatiwa from Zimbabwe by the Nigeria Immigration Service. Yohanna denied any involvement, stating that he was unaware of the bishop’s presence in Nigeria.
“Why would anyone fabricate lies on social media that I had something to do with the ordeal of Bishop Nhiwatiwa? I had no knowledge of his visit,” Yohanna said. He attributed the allegations to a disgruntled individual who had been denied ordination in the UMC due to a lack of theological qualifications.
Yohanna expressed his regret over the incident and called on the individual to stop spreading false allegations. He also apologized to Bishop Nhiwatiwa, clarifying that he had no role in the immigration issues the bishop faced. “As a Nigerian, I feel bad about the entire situation,” he said.
Church Property and Transition
On the issue of church property, Yohanna clarified that he had no authority over the assets of the UMCN. He explained that the Board of Trustees and the Annual Conferences held responsibility for the properties. He noted that while a minority of UMC members in Nigeria chose to remain in the church, the majority had moved to the GMC following the recognition of LGBTQ members.
Yohanna criticized the notion of regionalization, where churches in different parts of the world could adopt different stances on LGBTQ issues. “You cannot say Genesis 2 in America is different from that of Nigeria,” he argued, calling the idea deceptive and misleading, especially in light of Nigeria’s laws.
Denial of Life Bishop Allegations
Yohanna also addressed claims that he was scheming to become a “Life Bishop.” He dismissed the allegations as baseless, pointing out that he had rejected a proposal to extend his tenure beyond 12 years in the past. He reaffirmed his decision to retire as Bishop in September 2024, in accordance with the Global Methodist Church’s guidelines.
“I am not someone who seeks to hold onto power. I believe in God’s guidance, and I have no intention of staying longer in office,” Yohanna said. He added that the GMC would elect a new bishop to oversee the Nigerian Episcopal Area during its General Conference in Costa Rica this September.
In closing, Yohanna urged members of the GMC to remain calm and maintain their decorum as the church undergoes this transition.
Quote: “The laws of our country take precedence over any other constitution, including that of the church.” – Bishop Yohanna
