In a significant ruling, Justice Gbeisay (left) has emphasized that the church’s operations in Liberia should proceed without interruption, as if no legal actions had been initiated. Right: Bishop Samuel J. Quire delivering a sermon.
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia – The Supreme Court of Liberia has intervened in an ongoing legal dispute surrounding the United Methodist Church (UMC) Annual Conference in Gbarnga, Bong County.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Justice in Chambers, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, has ordered that all proceedings related to the matter continue while also summoning Judge Boima Konto of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court for a conference.
Supreme Court’s Directive
The intervention follows an injunction issued on the evening of February 14, 2025, by Judge Boima Konto, the Resident Circuit Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Bong County. The injunction halted the UMC Annual Conference based on a request by L. Orlando Boyce, District Lay Leader for the St. Paul River District. Boyce claims he was denied participation in the 192nd annual conference being held in Gbarnga. Boyce contends that the UMC’s actions violate the Book of Discipline, which governs church practices.
However, in a legal directive, Justice Gbeisay instructed that the case be reviewed in a conference scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. In his official communication to Judge Konto, he stated: “By directive of His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., Associate Justice presiding in Chambers, you are hereby cited to a conference with His Honor on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the hour of 10:00 a.m., in connection with the above captioned case. Henceforth, you are ordered to return the parties to status quo ante, and stay all further proceedings pending the outcome of the conference before the Justice. Meanwhile, all activities of The United Methodist Church, Liberia Annual Conference will continue as normal as though nothing has been filed before any court in the Republic of Liberia.”
Petitioners Seek Legal Clarity
The petitioners, Rev. JI Joel Gould, Administrative Assistant, and Tolbert Nyenswah, Conference Lay Leader, had earlier requested the Supreme Court to place a hold on all legal proceedings while their case is under review. They are also pushing to maintain the status quo, which would allow the United Methodist Church’s activities to proceed uninterrupted until a final court decision is reached.
As part of the Supreme Court’s directive, Judge Konto, who is listed as the 1st Respondent, and L. Orlando Boyce, the 2nd Respondent and District Lay Leader for the St. Paul River District in Gbarnga, are required to attend the conference. The session will be presided over by Justice Gbeisay at the Supreme Court in Monrovia.
Church Operations to Proceed Unhindered
In a significant ruling, Justice Gbeisay has emphasized that the church’s operations in Liberia should proceed without interruption, as if no legal actions had been initiated. This means that all further legal proceedings regarding the dispute will be halted until after the conference.
Supreme Court Clerk Confirms Notification of Parties
The Clerk of the Supreme Court, Cllr. Sam Mamulu, has confirmed that all parties involved have been officially notified and are expected to appear at the scheduled conference.
The case has attracted attention due to the internal struggles within the United Methodist Church in Liberia and its implications for religious and legal governance. With the Supreme Court now actively involved, the outcome of the conference could set a significant precedent for church-related legal disputes in the country.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), at its 192nd Annual Session, unanimously passed two significant resolutions aimed at reaffirming its stance on marriage and strengthening efforts to protect church properties.
Resolution One: Reaffirmation of the Definition of Marriage in Compliance with Biblical Standards and National Laws
In this resolution, the LAC/UMC reaffirmed its commitment to the traditional definition of marriage, aligning with both Biblical principles and Liberia’s civil laws.
The resolution follows an amendment to The Book of Discipline (2020/2024), as approved by the West Africa Central Conference (WACC), which mandates that marriage within the United Methodist Church in West Africa shall be between a man and a woman, in accordance with national, state, and local laws.
According to a release, the LAC/UMC, recognizing its historical stance on the issue, has resolved to formally adopt the amendment to The Book of Discipline, paragraph 544, subparagraphs 5 & 7, as approved by WACC, reaffirming that marriage within the United Methodist Church in Liberia is defined as a union between a man and a woman; direct all member churches and affiliated bodies to implement this resolution in alignment with Liberian laws and the doctrinal teachings of the United Methodist Church.
The Church also resolved to maintain the name “United Methodist Church,” along with the Cross and Flame insignia, as legally registered trademarks of the Church in Liberia; reaffirm that the United Methodist name in Africa carries historical and spiritual significance, serving as a symbol of evangelism, mission, and Christian service.
It also called on the Church to uphold the Cross and Flame emblem as a representation of the Church’s connection to Jesus Christ (the Cross) and the Holy Spirit (the Flame), symbolizing both the birth of the Christian Church on Pentecost (Acts 2:3) and the transformational experience of John Wesley on May 24, 1738.
Resolution Two: Empowering the Board of Trustees to Codify, Document, and Recover Church Properties
Acknowledging the need to safeguard church assets from unauthorized encroachment, conversion, or misuse, the LAC/UMC passed a resolution empowering the Board of Trustees to take necessary legal actions to protect and recover all properties held in trust for the Church.
The resolution notes that the Board of Trustees, as outlined in The Book of Discipline (2020/2024), holds fiduciary responsibility for church properties; a prior resolution (No. 014/LAC/UMC), adopted at the 190th Annual Session, authorized investigations and legal actions to protect church assets and the Church will rigorously protect its properties within Liberia’s 15 counties and 20 church districts, as well as any assets outside the country.
As part of this commitment, the Liberia Annual Conference has authorized the Board of Trustees, represented by Henry N. Brunson (President/Chairperson) and Eliza D. J. Kronyanh (Secretary/Directress), to allocate special funds for securing and recovering church properties, subject to regular audits.
The Church also authorized the Board to take all necessary legal actions, including litigation, to codify, document, and recover both real and personal properties belonging to the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. In addition, the Board was given the mandate to act in close consultation with the office of the Chancellors and other relevant legal entities to ensure compliance with Liberia’s trust and property laws.
These resolutions were formally adopted and signed in Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia, on February 13, 2025.
Commitment to Faith, Integrity, and Stewardship
The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church reaffirms its dedication to Biblical teachings, good governance, and the responsible management of church assets. Through these resolutions, the Church aims to strengthen its doctrinal integrity, protect its institutional heritage, and uphold its legal and spiritual commitments to the people of Liberia.
The adoption of the resolution comes in the wake of ongoing internal disputes within the United Methodist Church (UMC) over its stance on LGBTQ+ issues. In 2024, the UMC at removed a provision from its rulebook that stated homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. It also eliminated penalties for ministers who officiate same-sex weddings and broadened its definition of marriage to include any two consenting adults.
These changes have sparked backlash in many parts of Africa, including Liberia. Despite reassurances from the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) leadership, led by Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr. that the Church does not support same-sex marriage, members have been calling for an emergency conference to clarify the Church’s official position.
Now, with the Church reaffirming its recognition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in accordance with national, state, and local laws, leaders hope the internal divisions will be resolved.
