Monrovia – The Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice has put an end to the ongoing fight over church properties between the United Methodist Church (UMC) Liberia Annual Conference and a group that broke away to form the Global Methodist Church (GMC).
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr. and By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
In a strong ruling handed down by Judge George W. Smith, the court made it clear that those who left the UMC have no right to take or claim any church property.
The breakaway group, led by Rev. Jerry P. Kulah, had argued that they were entitled to a share of the UMC’s properties — including churches, schools, hospitals, and other facilities after they left to form the GMC.
But the judge of the circuit court ruled that once they left the UMC, they gave up any rights to its properties. “You can’t claim what you don’t own,” Judge Smith said, citing key legal principles.
The court also ruled that Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr., the leader of the UMC Liberia Annual Conference, had no legal authority to hand over or divide church properties to the breakaway group.
Instead, the court said those properties are held in trust by the church’s official trustees — not individuals or groups who decide to walk away. In its final judgment, the court declared that the GMC and Rev. Kulah have no legal claim to any UMC properties.
“They are not allowed to use, possess, or transfer any of the UMC’s buildings, land, or materials.
The ruling also stated that, “They are forbidden from removing signs or anything that belongs to the UMC Liberia Annual Conference.
The case came from a petition for declaratory judgment — a legal move asking the court to make a clear ruling. The judgment now sets a big example for how church property fights will be handled in the future.
Many are of the conviction that the decision strengthens the UMC’s legal control over its assets and sends a strong message to anyone thinking of leaving and taking church property with them.
But at the same time, the Civil Law Court has affirmed that the church properties remain under the ownership of the parent body even when members or leaders secede to form new denominations.
Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., Resident Bishop of the LAC/UMC has extended olive branch to aggrieved parties to see reason to join hands for once again, a “United Methodist Church.”
“Let us recommit ourselves to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he added.
House begins hearing
In a strong ruling handed down by Judge George W. Smith, the court made it clear that those who left the UMC have no right to take or claim any church property.
Meanwhile, representatives of the United Methodist Church appeared before the House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation on Monday, August 18, 2025.
The hearing comes on the heel of endless fight over allegation of endorsing same sex marriage at the level of the UMC in Liberia. It followed a communication from Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony Williams.
In his communication, the Maryland County lawmaker urged plenary to engage the Resident Bishop of the UMC, Rev. Samuel J. Quire and the President of the LCC, Rev. Samuel B. Reeves to clarify whether the church in Liberia is aligned with the 2024 General Conference of the Global UMC, which lifted the ban on same-sex marriages and LGBTQ clergy.
He contended that Liberia’s Constitution obliges lawmakers to defend the nation’s “cultural heritage and the sanctity of family life.”
While acknowledging Article 14’s guarantee of religious freedom, he stressed that practices “contrary to public morality and law” cannot be tolerated.
Accordingly, during the public hearing, the Church through its designated representatives that included former River Gee County Senator, Conmany B. Wesseh, dismissed claims.
The former River Gee lawmaker and ranking member of the UMC denied accusation that the denomination has endorsed same-sex marriage as contended by dissenting members.
Speaking on behalf of the church, he termed the report as “false, misleading and damaging” to the church and the country’s image.
Conmany B. Wesseh said the accusations were rooted in misinformation and misinterpretation of what the church’s true values.
“This is a serious issue of misinformation. To say that the church that is far older than Liberia and one that has produced many national leaders, has endorsed gay practices is false and misleading. It is inconsistent with our national laws and inconsistent with our culture. This has never happened and will never happen,” he asserted.
However, contrary to the denial, Mr. Wesseh revealed that the controversy stems from a 2023 decision at the United Methodist Church General Conference in the United States, which lifted a decades-long ban on same-sex marriage.
Howbeit, he explained that the Conference granted regional conferences autonomy to align practices with their own laws and cultural contexts.
The UMC Official emphasized that the United Methodist Church in Liberia remains aligned with national law and cultural values, and will not sanction same-sex marriage, thus averring that these claims are clouded around the Church’s properties.
“As I said earlier, it is inconsistent with our national laws and inconsistent with our culture. It was a discussion at the Methodist Church in America, but that conference gave freedom of choice to member country to decide what’s good for them. This debate or false accusation is about the properties owned by the Methodist Church. These are people who had long wanted to break away. These terminologies are not good for the public ears.”
Francis K. Zayzay, former lay leader of S. Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church, explained that while the global church took a liberal stance, Liberia was among the countries that opposed the measure.
“Liberia rejected the idea of same-sex marriage at the conference. The problem started after the 2024 Book of Discipline was established. The conference gave every region the power to adapt within their own culture and laws, but some misunderstood the 2024 Book of Discipline. We will not abide by any policy that lifts the ban on same-sex marriage,” Zayzay told lawmakers.
Rev. Caleb S.G. Dormah, Chairperson of the Crisis Management Team of the UMC, also denied the allegation, stressing that Liberia’s church body has already taken a formal stance as he presented a notarized document to the House Committee on Peace and Reconciliation presided over by Co-chair, Jeremiah Sokan.
The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) had been invited to intervene to calm tensions after rumors spread that St. Nagbe Church was hosting a same-sex wedding, and so was included in the House’s invitation for the hearing.
Rev. Christopher Wleh Toe, First Vice President of LCC, said the leadership of the Council has held numerous engagements with both parties and has established that the root cause of the conflict is due to the Church’s leadership to provide clarity to its members on its stance.
“We received official documents confirming that the church in Liberia supports marriage strictly between a man and a woman. The problem has been a misunderstanding on the explanation of the definition of same-sex marriage.”
According to the Council, claims that S.T. Nagbe Church doors were closed for the sole purpose of conducting a same-sex wedding were unfounded.
Following testimonies and queries of members of the UMC, a motion was proffered for continuance to allow the opposing parties before a final decision is made by the Committee.
