Press Statement
March 26, 2025
The United Methodist Church stands united in condemning the recent attacks and
efforts to discredit, humiliate, and intimidate our bishops, including Bishop Ande I.
Emmanuel of Nigeria, Bishop James Boyce Caulker of Sierra Leone, and Bishop
Samuel J .Quire Jr, of Liberia, who have been carrying out peace and
reconciliation missions in Nigeria.
These bishops have worked tirelessly to spread love, peace, and unity, addressing
both the spiritual and practical needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Unfortunately, their efforts have been met with attacks, misinformation, and
disinformation from those who seek to divide the Body of Christ and disrupt the
peaceful work being done by the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and
throughout Africa.
We commend the Government of Nigeria for their timely and effective
intervention in ensuring the safety of these bishops. However, we urge Nigerian
authorities to continue their investigations into the origins of these attacks and the
individuals responsible for spreading harmful lies and creating division among the
faithful. However, we urge the Nigerian authorities to fully investigate these tragic
events and bring to justice those responsible for spreading harmful lies and
creating divisions within the Church.
Bishop Emmanuel, Bishop Caulker, and Bishop Quire have all been working
tirelessly to build bridges of peace, unity, and reconciliation, serving both the
spiritual and practical needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their work in
Nigeria has been essential in fostering understanding and healing among
communities within the church.
The United Methodist Church in Liberia and other parts of our one world has
always been committed to promoting peace, understanding, and reconciliation. We
call on all Christians, both in Africa and around the world, to reject the rhetoric of
division, misinformation, and disunity. Our mission remains to make disciples for
Jesus Christ and to transform the world with love, kindness, and grace. We call on all United Methodists, both in Africa and around the world, to join us in
condemning the wave of disinformation, deceit, scare tactics, and harassment that
continues to be used against our bishops and church. These actions are
unacceptable and must be rejected in the strongest possible terms. We remind all
Christians that our mission is to make disciples for Jesus Christ, and to transform
the world through love, grace, and reconciliation.
It can be recalled that in December 2024, clashes between members of The United
Methodist Church of Nigeria and the breakaway Global Methodist Church in
Munga Dosso, Taraba State, tragically led to the deaths of three United Methodists.
This violence is a direct result of the ongoing division caused by disinformation
and hostility from some factions within the Global Methodist Church. Our bishops,
who have been steadfast in their mission to promote peace, reconciliation, and the
teachings of Jesus Christ, have become targets of harassment, lies, and attempts at
intimidation.
Furthermore, we ask the Global Methodist Church and other groups engaged in
this campaign of disunity to cease their divisive actions and respect the work of
peace being carried out by the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and beyond.
Let us come together in unity and focus on building the Kingdom of God, centered
on love, compassion, and the unity of the Body of Christ.
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
United Methodist Church
Communications Department