The Diocese of Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC) Europe has imposed an immediate and strict pastoral directive, forbidding its clergy from using social media platforms to criticize, attack, or malign the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) or its leadership.
The order, issued on September 26, 2025, by the Diocesan Bishop, The Right Reverend Dr. Gideon Chukwudalu Ilechukwu, addresses concerns over recent instances where some priests have used digital platforms to express grievances against the Church of Nigeria.
In the letter, titled “Pastoral Directive to All Clergy,” Bishop Ilechukwu emphasized that such public conduct is “uncharitable,” undermines the unity of the Body of Christ, and “brings the sacred priesthood into disrepute.”
The Bishop explicitly instructed that if any priest within the AMC Europe Diocese harbors “grievances, displeasure, or strong concerns” about the Church of Nigeria, they must not resort to “public outbursts on social media.”
Instead, they are mandated to follow established channels by communicating formally with the Bishop’s office through the Clerical Synod Secretary, the Administrative Secretary, or the Bishop’s Personal Assistant.
Bishop Ilechukwu reminded his clergy of their “holy calling” as ambassadors of Christ and “ministers of reconciliation.”
“Public attacks and reckless words on digital platforms betray this holy calling,” he stated.
The Bishop urged all priests to “exercise restraint, discipline, and maturity” in all public communication, calling on them to be examples to the flock by reflecting humility, obedience, and reverence for the Church.
