Monrovia – The Civil Legislation Court docket on the Temple of Justice has put an finish to the continued battle over church properties between the United Methodist Church (UMC) Liberia Annual Convention and a bunch that broke away to kind the International Methodist Church (GMC).
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr. and By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
In a robust ruling handed down by Decide George W. Smith, the courtroom made it clear that those that left the UMC don’t have any proper to take or declare any church property.
The breakaway group, led by Rev. Jerry P. Kulah, had argued that they had been entitled to a share of the UMC’s properties — together with church buildings, faculties, hospitals, and different amenities after they left to kind the GMC.
However the decide of the circuit courtroom dominated that after they left the UMC, they gave up any rights to its properties. “You may’t declare what you don’t personal,” Decide Smith mentioned, citing key authorized ideas.
The courtroom additionally dominated that Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr., the chief of the UMC Liberia Annual Convention, had no authorized authority at hand over or divide church properties to the breakaway group.
As a substitute, the courtroom mentioned these properties are held in belief by the church’s official trustees — not people or teams who resolve to stroll away. In its closing judgment, the courtroom declared that the GMC and Rev. Kulah don’t have any authorized declare to any UMC properties.
“They don’t seem to be allowed to make use of, possess, or switch any of the UMC’s buildings, land, or supplies.
The ruling additionally acknowledged that, “They’re forbidden from eradicating indicators or something that belongs to the UMC Liberia Annual Convention.
The case got here from a petition for declaratory judgment — a authorized transfer asking the courtroom to make a transparent ruling. The judgment now units a giant instance for the way church property fights shall be dealt with sooner or later.
Many are of the conviction that the choice strengthens the UMC’s authorized management over its property and sends a robust message to anybody pondering of leaving and taking church property with them.
However on the similar time, the Civil Legislation Court docket has affirmed that the church properties stay beneath the possession of the dad or mum physique even when members or leaders secede to kind new denominations.
Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., Resident Bishop of the LAC/UMC has prolonged olive department to aggrieved events to see motive to hitch arms for as soon as once more, a “United Methodist Church.”
“Allow us to recommit ourselves to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he added.
Home begins listening to
In the meantime, representatives of the United Methodist Church appeared earlier than the Home Committee on Peace and Reconciliation on Monday, August 18, 2025.
The listening to comes on the heel of limitless battle over allegation of endorsing similar intercourse marriage on the degree of the UMC in Liberia. It adopted a communication from Maryland County District #2 Consultant Anthony Williams.
In his communication, the Maryland County lawmaker urged plenary to interact the Resident Bishop of the UMC, Rev. Samuel J. Quire and the President of the LCC, Rev. Samuel B. Reeves to make clear whether or not the church in Liberia is aligned with the 2024 Normal Convention of the International UMC, which lifted the ban on same-sex marriages and LGBTQ clergy.
He contended that Liberia’s Structure obliges lawmakers to defend the nation’s “cultural heritage and the sanctity of household life.”
Whereas acknowledging Article 14’s assure of spiritual freedom, he confused that practices “opposite to public morality and legislation” can’t be tolerated.
Accordingly, throughout the public listening to, the Church by way of its designated representatives that included former River Gee County Senator, Conmany B. Wesseh, dismissed claims.
The previous River Gee lawmaker and rating member of the UMC denied accusation that the denomination has endorsed same-sex marriage as contended by dissenting members.
Talking on behalf of the church, he termed the report as “false, deceptive and damaging” to the church and the nation’s picture.
Conmany B. Wesseh mentioned the accusations had been rooted in misinformation and misinterpretation of what the church’s true values.
“It is a severe challenge of misinformation. To say that the church that’s far older than Liberia and one which has produced many nationwide leaders, has endorsed homosexual practices is fake and deceptive. It’s inconsistent with our nationwide legal guidelines and inconsistent with our tradition. This has by no means occurred and can by no means occur,” he asserted.
Nonetheless, opposite to the denial, Mr. Wesseh revealed that the controversy stems from a 2023 determination on the United Methodist Church Normal Convention in america, which lifted a decades-long ban on same-sex marriage.
Howbeit, he defined that the Convention granted regional conferences autonomy to align practices with their very own legal guidelines and cultural contexts.
The UMC Official emphasised that the United Methodist Church in Liberia stays aligned with nationwide legislation and cultural values, and won’t sanction same-sex marriage, thus averring that these claims are clouded across the Church’s properties.
“As I mentioned earlier, it’s inconsistent with our nationwide legal guidelines and inconsistent with our tradition. It was a dialogue on the Methodist Church in America, however that convention gave freedom of option to member nation to resolve what’s good for them. This debate or false accusation is concerning the properties owned by the Methodist Church. These are individuals who had lengthy wished to interrupt away. These terminologies usually are not good for the general public ears.”
Francis Okay. Zayzay, former lay chief of S. Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church, defined that whereas the worldwide church took a liberal stance, Liberia was among the many international locations that opposed the measure.
“Liberia rejected the concept of same-sex marriage on the convention. The issue began after the 2024 E-book of Self-discipline was established. The convention gave each area the facility to adapt inside their very own tradition and legal guidelines, however some misunderstood the 2024 E-book of Self-discipline. We is not going to abide by any coverage that lifts the ban on same-sex marriage,” Zayzay informed lawmakers.
Rev. Caleb S.G. Dormah, Chairperson of the Disaster Administration Crew of the UMC, additionally denied the allegation, stressing that Liberia’s church physique has already taken a proper stance as he introduced a notarized doc to the Home Committee on Peace and Reconciliation presided over by Co-chair, Jeremiah Sokan.
The Liberia Council of Church buildings (LCC) had been invited to intervene to calm tensions after rumors unfold that St. Nagbe Church was internet hosting a same-sex marriage ceremony, and so was included within the Home’s invitation for the listening to.
Rev. Christopher Wleh Toe, First Vice President of LCC, mentioned the management of the Council has held quite a few engagements with each events and has established that the basis reason behind the battle is as a result of Church’s management to offer readability to its members on its stance.
“We obtained official paperwork confirming that the church in Liberia helps marriage strictly between a person and a lady. The issue has been a misunderstanding on the reason of the definition of same-sex marriage.”
In keeping with the Council, claims that S.T. Nagbe Church doorways had been closed for the only objective of conducting a same-sex marriage ceremony had been unfounded.
Following testimonies and queries of members of the UMC, a movement was proffered for continuance to permit the opposing events earlier than a closing determination is made by the Committee.
