By Danesius Marteh
archie2024@gmail.com/+231776236528
Roman Catholics in Liberia are calling for a full-scale investigation into the death of the Very Reverend Fathers Alphonsus B. Mombo and Roland Gbandala Biah.
Mombo, rector of St. Charles Lwanga pre-major seminary in Pipeline, died on 11 March after a brief illness at 57 years.
Biah, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Gardnersville, chaplain of the Archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Association, and member of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, died on 13 March after a brief illness at 53 years.
Per reports gathered since their mysterious deaths, Alphonsus and Roland went to Buchanan, Grand Bassa County for the funeral of Roland’s sister and were allegedly poisoned.
“I, In my capacity as a member of Catholic Women Organization, Immediate Past Recording and Corresponding Secretary-St. Cecelia Ladies Auxiliary #367 of Knights of St. John International (2nd Degree -Sister) and Laity (Chorister) of St. Joseph’s Parish, Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church, do hereby call for investigations into circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two Catholic priests,” journalist K. Zoquay Beysolow-Konneh of ELBC wrote on her Facebook page on 16 March, which was seconded by several Catholics, including Michael T. Biddle and journalist Fabine Kwiah of ELBC.
Blamo Snojue Nimle, former Worthy President of St. Patrick Commandery #448 of St. Mary’s Parish in Duala, also supports the call for investigation.
“The call for autopsy now is better late than never. The late [Very] Rev. Fr. Robert Blamo Koti and the late Very Rev. Fr. Charles Boyce did deserve a similar [treatment],” Blamo wrote on Facebook on 15 March.
Blamo knew the priests for at least 20 years from working at the Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia.
“Since the mysterious deaths of our two Catholic priests, there has been mounting concerns as to the causes of death.
“Many persons, including Catholics and non-Catholics, have been wondering whether the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church supports autopsies. The answer is YES!
“Section 2301 of the teachings of the Catholic Church provides that autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research.
“The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious.
“That is why, I, Noble Knight [Colonel] Blamo Snojue Nimle of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International, who has taken many oaths to defend the faith of the church, do hereby support the many calls for autopsies on the bodies.
My call is supported by the catechism of the Roman Catholic Church, Part Three: The Life of Christ , Section Two: The Ten Commandments, Chapter Two: You shall Love Your Neighbors as Yourself. Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Love one another even as I have loved you’. Article 5: The Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill.
“We call on the authority of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, with support from the Vatican through the Apostolic Nucio and government for these autopsies.
“The issue of autopsies on mysterious death within the church must claim our individual and collective attention, especially under a Synodal Catholic Church, a model promoted by the Late Pope Francis focusing on ‘journeying together’, where the entire people of God – laity, religious, and clergy – participate in listening, dialogue, and discernment to guide the Church’s mission.
“It emphasizes collaborative governance over top-down decision making, aiming to reform outdated structures and increase inclusion,” Nimle concluded.
Rhodoxon Fayiah, who heads the Strategic Journalist Committee, is a devout Roman Catholic.
“We need an autopsy. The Liberia National Police should investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths by declaring persons of interest including the Parish Priest of St. Peter Clever Catholic Church in Buchanan where they had their last meal before returning to Monrovia,” said Fayiah.
“We support the call for autopsy. Sad how these young men lives are prematurely cut short,” said Sister Doreen J. Nimneh-Togba of St. Mary’s Parish.
It remains to be seen how the church will react to the many calls for an investigation into the deaths of Mombo and Biah.
