The head of the Church of England was heavily criticized by many Anglican archbishops. Justin Welby for the stance he has taken in recent months in favor of same-sex couples. Their discomfort stems from the recent decision of its governing body. Anglican ChurchGeneral Synod to allow clergy to bless same-sex couples.

The conservative Worldwide Southern Fellowship of the Anglican Churches, which consists of 25 Anglican churches and claims to represent 75% of the world’s Anglicans, said on Monday that the Anglican Church has “fallen away from the true faith” and forfeited the right to be called the “mother” of the Anglican Communion.

A statement signed by ten archbishops including Henry Ducumba, Archbishop of Nigeria who is estimated to represent a third of the world’s Anglicans, said “the PNAAE can no longer recognize the current Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Abbot Justin Welby, as ‘first among equals’. “leader of the global community. As for churches that have accepted Welby’s offer to bless same-sex couples, including churches in Scotland, Wales, the US and New Zealand, the statement says they are “following the path of false doctrine.” “We are deeply saddened by this,” he concludes.

“Love Warning”

The reason is the position taken in recent months by England’s chief clergyman in favor of same-sex couples.

Since becoming Archbishop of Canterbury a decade ago, Welby has sought to rally the global Anglican community in the face of bitter divisions over sexuality. His approach was to try to persuade bishops, clergy, and parishioners to “walk together” despite seemingly insurmountable differences.

The recommendation of Church of England bishops to approve optional blessings but continue to ban same-sex marriage in the church was meant to be a compromise that would end decades of painful tensions over the issue of sexuality.

However, progressives were outraged that they believed the Church of England would continue to treat same-sex couples as “second class”, while conservatives were outraged that the church appeared to have turned away from traditional teaching on marriage and sexuality. Last summer, the Lambeth Conference, a ten-year meeting of Anglican bishops from around the world, was boycotted by the archbishops of Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda, who together represent some 30 million Anglicans, over the topic of sexuality.

A statement released by the PNAAE on Monday said the withdrawal of Welby’s support as a worldwide church leader should be taken as a “love warning.”