American Bishop Blocks Igbo Group from Entering Church in New Jersey

May 28, 2023 - An Igbo group posing as Christ Anglican Church (dba Igbo Anglican Church), who have formed a Limited Liability Corporation (not a church), illegally broke into a Church in Irvington, New Jersey and changed the locks to deny the true church affiliated with the ACNA, access to their facilities. This is known as “conversion” in The United States and is against the law in New Jersey State. After breaking into the church, this Church of Nigeria-sponsored group held a short prayer meeting followed by a drunken party and further purposeful damage to stairs, furniture, and security cameras. The true church followed the legal process to undo the illegal conversion and took back control of the church. But the damage caused by the Igbo group has now made the facilities unusable due to safety concerns and insurance restrictions. As an Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains (ACNA) with whom the church is affiliated, Bishop Derek Jones officially closed the Sanctuary from use until repairs can be made. Below is the text from the official notice posted to the doors of Christ Anglican Church.

By order of the Bishop, the Sanctuary of Christ Anglican Church (DBA Igbo Anglican Church) is closed until further notice. This is necessitated by severe property damage willfully and intentionally caused by a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) under the Church of Nigeria who were given cooperative access to the building at the request of a New Jersey court. The damage presents an ongoing safety risk to visitors that is not covered by the Church's insurance policy.

Once repairs have been completed, outside groups will again be allowed, at the discretion of the bishop, to hold events approved by the Vestry. Any group seeking use of the building must present proof of a comprehensive liability insurance policy (>$1M in coverage) to cover damages. Certified copies of policies must accompany all future requests for use of the building that are presented to the Vestry of Christ Anglican Church. Use of the facility is subject to the Bishop's approval.

Cooperation with Court-directed groups and individuals is terminated. Such groups and individuals are no longer authorized access to this building by this Official Notice. Remediation of the illegal "Conversion "of the building, a violation of New Jersey law, has been completed and all keys to this building have been surrendered to a diocesan authority while repairs are secured. Questions may be directed to the undersigned.

FOR THE BISHOP

The Right Reverend Derek Jones

Assisting Bishop

Anglican Diocese of the Rocky Mountains