Monrovia – The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, The Most Reverend Dr. Gabriel Blamo Jubwe, has announced the establishment of an escrow account dedicated to supporting the health and welfare of priests serving within the Archdiocese.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The announcement was made on July 2, 2025, during a special gathering of local Archdiocesan priests held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center (APC) on Randall Street in Monrovia.
Addressing his fellow clergymen, His Grace Archbishop Jubwe revealed that the “Archdiocesan Priests’ Health and Welfare Fund” has been set up at Bloom Bank Liberia. The fund will serve as a formal health insurance scheme to support priests facing medical challenges.
“The health and welfare of my priests is a paramount concern for me,” Archbishop Jubwe said. “It is essential that we care for those who have dedicated their lives to serving the Church and the people of God.”
In addition to the health fund, Archbishop Jubwe reaffirmed his commitment to reviving the “Opus Securitatis” Pension Scheme, first introduced in 1998 by the late Archbishop Michael K. Francis. He pledged that priests who were part of the original plan will receive the benefits due to them, and that the scheme will now be extended to include all priests as they approach retirement age.
The Archbishop also encouraged all priests to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make use of the health insurance scheme in a responsible and transparent manner.
Speaking on behalf of the clergy, the Vicar of Priests, Very Rev. Fr. McDonald Nah, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for what he described as a “visionary and historic initiative.”
“This is the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in Liberia that such a formal structure has been established to cater to the health and welfare of priests,” Fr. Nah said. “For years, priests who fell ill had no official support and were left to rely on family members, friends, and lay organizations. Today marks a turning point.”
Also in attendance were Very Rev. Fr. Ambrose Dayouga Kroma, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and other members of the College of Consultors.
The initiative has also brought relief and joy to the laity, many of whom have long expressed concern over the wellbeing of their parish priests. With this new insurance scheme, priests will now have access to medical care at any Catholic health facility, including the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital, using their insurance card. The card, however, is strictly personal and not transferable, a point reiterated by Fr. Nah in his closing remarks.
“Priests are cautioned to use the insurance responsibly and exclusively for themselves,” he said. “This is a sacred trust meant for the dignity and health of those who serve.”
The Archdiocese’s move is being hailed as a major step toward improving clergy welfare and ensuring that those who serve the spiritual needs of others are themselves cared for with dignity and respect.
