MONROVIA – Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah is facing mounting criticism after his sharp response to Bishop Kortu Brown, one of Liberia’s most prominent clergymen, who recently described government officials as “mean, lazy, and selfish.” Piah accused the Bishop of overstepping his religious role and venturing into politics, remarking that if the clergyman “wants to engage in politics, he should leave the church and join politics formally.”
The Minister’s remarks quickly drew outrage on social media. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Varney K. Sirleaf posted a strong rebuttal on Facebook, demanding that Piah retract what he called a “disrespectful” statement. “Do not assume that we are incapable of responding in kind; however, we are guided by our upbringing. If you believe your role as Minister of Information includes insulting others in the country, then we will challenge you,” Sirleaf wrote.
Assistant Minister Lawrence Fahnbulleh of MICAT defended his boss, arguing that Piah’s warning was justified and should serve as a deterrent to those who, in his words, “disrespect public authorities.” Fahnbulleh further questioned Bishop Brown’s contributions to society, asking what tangible assistance he had provided to his congregation and the broader community.
But Sirleaf countered that Fahnbulleh was misinformed. He praised Bishop Brown’s humanitarian work through the Concerned Christian Community (CCC), an organization that provided food, shelter, scholarships, and other support to thousands of Liberians during the civil war. “Piah, your boss, is a beneficiary of Bishop and other well-meaning Liberians’ hard work to bring peace to Liberia,” Sirleaf wrote, calling Piah a “leech” with “zero contribution.”
The backlash deepened when Strong Gbana Pekin, another Liberian commentator, published a lengthy statement condemning Piah’s tone and reminding him of Bishop Brown’s sacrifices during Liberia’s darkest days. He credited Brown and the CCC with rehabilitating women and girls abused during the war, resettling displaced Liberians, and playing a crucial role in peacebuilding. “You were wrong on this one, comrade,” he wrote, adding that Piah owed the Bishop an apology.
Bishop Brown, who once served as President of the Liberia Council of Churches and currently oversees the Apostolic Pentecost Churches International, had delivered a blistering sermon on August 31. In it, he criticized public officials under the Unity Party-led administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for perpetuating poverty through selfishness and indifference.
While Piah sought to defend public officials, President Boakai had already addressed the issue before Piah responded to Bishop Brown. In a cabinet meeting on September 4, the President reminded his ministers of their duty to ordinary Liberians. “A country that cannot provide for the poor cannot protect the rich,” Boakai said. “Public service means you will be insulted even when you do the right thing, but our obligation is to the people of Liberia. That is why we were called to rescue this country and make life better for our people.”
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