Paragraph 637.3 of the 2016 book of discipline of the United Methodist Church grants The Episcopacy Committee of an Annual Conference the following rights, authorities and responsibilities: a) To support the bishop of the area in the oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Church, with special reference to the area where the bishop has presidential responsibility. b) To be available to the bishop for counsel. c) To assist in the determination of the episcopal needs of the area and to make recommendations to appropriate bodies. d) To keep the bishop advised concerning conditions within the area as they affect relationships between the bishop and the people of the conference agencies. e) To interpret to the people of the area and to conference agencies the nature and function of the episcopal office. f) To engage in annual consultation and appraisal of the balance of the bishop’s relationship and responsibilities to the area and annual conferences, the jurisdiction, general Church boards and agencies, and other areas of specialized ministry, including, at all levels, concern for the inclusiveness of the Church and its ministry with respect to sex, race, and national origin, and understanding and implementation of the consultation process in appointment-making. g) To report needs for episcopal leadership to the jurisdictional committee on episcopacy through the duly elected conference members of that committee.

The Episcopacy Committee of the Liberia Annual Conference United Methodist Church is deeply shocked and saddened by the recent physical attack on Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. during his visit to the Gompa District Conference on Saturday, June 29, 2024. This act of violence is utterly unacceptable and goes against the core values of respect, peace, and the fear of God that we strive to uphold in our church. Bishop Quire’s visit was intended to foster unity and promote dialogue aimed at providing clearer understanding of the decision taken at the recently held 2020 postponed General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina USA April 23-May 3, 2024, to United Methodists in the Gompa District but encountered strong resistance from some clergy and Lay members of the District. We believe that this action resulted from false propagandas and misleading information given to our people by some church leaders, that Our Bishop signed and voted Gay Rights and same sex marriage at the General Conference of the UMC held in USA. Let the record show, that there had been no time and place where our Bishop voted and signed Gay Rights/same sex marriage to be practiced in the United Methodist Church in Liberia.

This unfortunate incident has brought distress and disrespect to our Bishop as well as division in the unity of our church.  We unequivocally condemn this physicaal attack on Bishop Quire by individuals in the Gompa District during his visit to Gompa, in the Northern County of Nimba, Liberia. Such actions have no place in our Church and are a direct affront to the principles of love and peace that our faith teaches.

Furthermore, our Bishop and the United Methodist Church in Liberia at previous conferences of the LAC/UMC have said No to Gay Rights and Same-Sex activities in our Annual Conference. The United Methodist church in Liberia is not a Gay Church and will not practice such act. It is a church of God; whose Mission is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”.  We therefore call on all members of our church to stand together in denouncing violence and promoting a culture of mutual respect and unity.

It is only through peaceful engagement and open dialogue that we can overcome our differences and build a stronger, more inclusive church. Moreover, we call on the appropriate   authorities of our church to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and   ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. It is imperative that justice is served, and that measures are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Additionally, we urge all united Methodists in Liberia to come together in solidarity to stand firm against the divisive strategies of the devil during these difficult and challenging times in the history of our church. Let us reaffirm our commitment to peace and mutual respect for It is through dialogue, understanding, and forgiveness that we can heal and move forward stronger than before. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bishop Quire and all those affected by this distressing event. We wish Bishop Quire a speedy recovery and stand with him in solidarity. Let us all work together to create a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.

Finally, we encourage the Bishop’s Cabinet, Conference Communication Department, Conference Connectional Ministry, Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry and Conference Board of Laity to aid the Bishop’s office in disseminating the correct information from the recently held General Conference to all United Methodists across Liberia and create awareness of administrative approaches that the Bishop and his Cabinet will take till we meet in our forth coming Annual Conference Session in February, 2025. We believe that this action including prayers, more dialogue and consultations will lower the gravity of conflict in our church. May God bless us all as we act in ways to keep our church peaceful.

Christ Above All

Committee on Episcopacy

Liberia Annual Conference

The United Methodist Church

Members of the Episcopacy Committee

  1. Rev. Dr. Erlene P. Thompson                                        Chairperson
  2. Bro. Otto Nabie                                                              Co- Chairperson
  3. Sis. Dehkontee P. Tarr                                                   Secretary
  4. Rev. Dr. Matthew A.  Jaiah                                           Member
  5. Mother Eliza D.J. Kronyanh                                               “
  6. Father P. EmMersyn Harris                                               “
  7. Mother Eva Bailey Reed                                                    “
  8. Rev. Asone Nah Wollor                                                      “
  9. Mother Estella M. K. Pailey                                               “            
  10. Mother Christiana Harmon                                             “
  11. Mother Jennifer G. Dioh                                                   “
  12. Bro. Samuel Quarshie                                                      “
  13. Rev. Joel J. Gould                                                              “
  14. Rev. Karyidia P. Gartor                                                     “

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