Nigerian gay clergy

Chris Appiah- not his real name- is a devout Anglican priest in Nigeria who believed he was living the life God called him to lead. Ordained, respected, and running a growing parish, he served faithfully for seven years and was on track to become a Canon. Then his sexuality was reported to church authorities.
In Nigeria, same sex relationships are criminalised, and in the Anglican Church’s most powerful Global South provinces, homosexuality is treated as incompatible with Christian leadership. When Chris appeared before a disciplinary panel, he was asked one question: was he gay? He answered honestly. Within days, he was removed from ministry and told never to step inside his church again. In this Heart and Soul documentary, presented by Emily Buchanan, Chris speaks- using a pseudonym- about family rejection, violent attempts at “deliverance”, secrecy within the church, and the moment his vocation was taken from him. His testimony reveals the hidden lives of many gay clergy in Nigeria who remain underground, balancing faith, fear and survival.

Presenter: Emily Buchanan
Producer: Bara’atu Ibrahim
Series Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno