“Faith Must Speak to Fiscal Justice,” Declares FJN Chairman at Zac Tax Campaign Launchyor
Gbayor Charles Gbayor l UM Newsroom
Monrovia, Liberia – Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Faith and Justice Network (FJN) and Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, officially opened the Regional Ecumenical Zac Tax Campaign Conference today with a passionate call for faith-based communities across West Africa to rise and reshape economic and financial ethics in the region.The conference, held at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia, is convened under the theme: “Reshaping Financial and Economic Ethics: A Transformative Approach to Justice, Reparation, and Accountability in the Mano River Basin.” It brings together ecumenical leaders, civil society actors, government representatives, and participants from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Bishop Quire emphasized the urgency of confronting economic injustices such as corruption, tax evasion, and illicit financial flows, which he said continue to erode peace, deepen inequality, and stall national development across the Mano River Basin.“We are gathered here not just for a conference, but for a movement,”
Bishop Quire declared. “A movement rooted in the prophetic tradition of truth-telling, in the gospel mandate of justice, and in the ecumenical mission of peace with dignity.”Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Zacchaeusa tax collector transformed by an encounter with Jesus, Bishop Quire outlined the spiritual and ethical foundation of the “Zac Tax Campaign,” which calls for transparency, reform, and a renewed commitment to economic justice.
“Zacchaeus changed—and so can our systems,” he said. “We believe leaders can turn around and nations can be redeemed, but only if we confront the economic and ethical injustices that have become too familiar.”The conference marks the official launch of a bold regional campaign running from 2025 to 2027 aimed at advancing tax justice, economic dignity, and ecological reparation. Organizers say the initiative will mobilize churches, mosques, and civil society to engage with national and international tax systems, ensuring they are transparent, equitable, and pro-poor.Bishop Quire urged churches and faith communities not to remain silent on economic issues, but to take a prophetic stand on fiscal matters such as budget priorities, wealth distribution, and the environmental cost of economic exploitation.
“In a time of economic disparities, climate crisis, and weakened public systems, faith communities must play a prophetic role,” he said. “We must challenge unjust tax systems and promote reparations for historical and ecological injustice.”The opening ceremony was attended by a broad cross-section of regional stakeholders including representatives from anti-corruption institutions, tax authorities, and grassroots organizations. Their presence, Bishop Quire noted, signals a growing consensus that financial ethics must be redefined and justice restored for the benefit of all.
In closing, the FJN Chairman officially declared the conference open, calling on all present to engage, reimagine, and commit to building a just and inclusive economic future. “Let us build a region where wealth is not hoarded by a few but stewarded for the good of all. Where governments are not run by greed, but by justice. And where our faith is not passive, but prophetic.”The conference continues over the next several days with workshops, panel discussions, and strategic planning sessions to drive the campaign forward across the Mano River sub-region.