By: Gbayor Charles Gbayor | UM News Gbarnga
Gbarnga –Bong County: In a strongly worded statement, the Conference Women of the United Methodist Church of Liberia (UMC) has publicly distanced itself from a letter authored by Mothers Muriel V. Nelson, President and Ophelia J.S. Kennedy, Secretary General of the Conference United Methodist Women of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church which levies serious allegations against Bishop Quire.
The letter accuses Bishop Quire of violating the Book of Discipline and making other controversial decisions. The response, which was delivered by Cllr. Angelique Weeks, emphatically rejected the contents of the letter, asserting that it does not represent the views, aspirations, or decisions of the broader United Methodist women’s community in Liberia.
The Allegations and the Response
The letter from Mothers Nelson and Kennedy, President and Secretary respectively, which had garnered some attention, alleges that Bishop Quire has acted in violation of church policies and failed to adhere to the teachings and regulations set forth in the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline.
However, in their public declaration, the Conference Women made it clear that the Nelson and Kennedy letter does not reflect the mindset or stance of a significant number of the church’s women. Cllr. Angelique Weeks, speaking on behalf of the conference, emphasized that the actions of Nelson and Kennedy were carried out without proper consultation or consent from the wider group of United Methodist women. The response further stated that some individuals involved in the support of the letter had been misinformed, intimidated, or coerced into endorsing it.
Cllr. Weeks in her reading of the resolution. “We the Conference Women of the United Methodist Church state unequivocally that we believe Bishop Quire has acted in good faith, taking appropriate and necessary administrative steps to maintain peace and unity within the LAC/UMC.”
A Call for Unity and Good Governance
The resolution made it clear that, in the view of the Women’s Conference, Bishop Quire had been making efforts to preserve the integrity of the church, despite the allegations brought forth by the letter. It expressed full support for his leadership, particularly in his attempts to foster unity and peaceful coexistence within the church community.
“The actions of Mothers Nelson and Kennedy were undertaken without the consent nor consultation with a significant number of the United Methodist women,” the statement continued. “We view this letter as an isolated and unrepresentative action that must be regarded as null and void.”
The statement underscored that this move was not just about protecting the bishop’s leadership but also about safeguarding the unity of the church. The Women’s Conference reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of unity, peace, and good governance within the UMCL.
Cllr. Weeks also stressed the importance of remaining focused on the larger mission of the church, calling on both members and leaders of the LAC/UMC to stay resolute in their pursuit of harmony and good governance. “We urge all members and leaders within the LAC/UMC to remain steadfast in our mission to foster harmony and uphold the integrity of the United Methodist Church,” Weeks said.
Designation of Mothers Nelson and Kennedy as Anti-United Methodist
In a bold move, the resolution went further by designating Mothers Muriel V. Nelson and Ophelia J. S. Kennedy as “anti-United Methodist.” The conference leaders made it clear that during their suspension, the next line of officers would carry on the affairs of the organization. This decision was met with strong approval from members of the Women’s Conference, as it affirmed the organization’s commitment to unity and the preservation of its values.
The resolution also stated that should an investigation into their actions yield warranted findings, Mothers Nelson and Kennedy could face expulsion from the United Methodist Church. This expulsion would be in accordance with the church’s Book of Discipline, for acts of disloyalty, gross insubordination, undermining the bishop and the United Methodist Church, as well as attempting to undermine the Board of Laity. Additionally, it was noted that Nelson and Kennedy had allegedly introduced the doctrine of the Global Ministries Church during official sessions of the United Methodist Church Women’s Organization, further exacerbating the tension within the church.
“We take these matters seriously and will not condone actions that threaten the unity of our church or undermine the leadership and governance that we hold dear,” the statement read. “If the investigation’s findings warrant, we support the expulsion of Mothers Nelson and Kennedy pursuant to the discipline, as their actions have gone against the core values of the United Methodist Church.”
A Commitment to Church Unity
As the Conference Women continues to navigate this challenging period, their message is one of solidarity and steadfastness in the face of division. They are calling for all parties involved to focus on the common goal of maintaining peace within the church, as opposed to giving weight to what they describe as an unsupported and divisive letter.
“We believe in the importance of unity and peace within our church community,” the resolution concluded. “We remain committed to promoting good governance and fostering an environment in which all members can thrive in faith, fellowship, and mutual respect.”
In conclusion, the response from the Conference Women of the United Methodist Church of Liberia serves as a clear and firm disavowal of the accusations against Bishop Quire. It is a declaration of their commitment to peace, unity, and the broader mission of the church, all while condemning the actions of Mothers Nelson and Kennedy as an isolated, unrepresentative act that does not speak for the majority of the United Methodist women in Liberia.
This development marks another chapter in the ongoing conversation about leadership, governance, and the future of the church in Liberia. The Conference Women, in this moment, has firmly made its position known—calling for a continued focus on unity and good governance for the church’s future.