By Alex Prince Johnson
Monrovia, Liberia — A storm of controversy continues to engulf the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, as tensions over same-sex marriage escalate into public protests, police interventions, and legislative scrutiny. The latest development comes from Pleebo Sodoken District Representative Anthony Williams, who has announced plans to formally petition the House of Representatives to summon the leader of the United Methodist Church Samuel Quire and the Liberia Council of Churches for clarification on their stance regarding Liberia’s organic law, which defines marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman.
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, social media erupted with claims that a same-sex wedding had taken place at the New Georgia Estate United Methodist Church. The Liberia National Police (LNP), responding to the viral posts, deployed heavily armed officers to several Methodist churches, including the historic S.T. Nagbe United Methodist Church, effectively locking out worshippers.
Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman later clarified that no such wedding had occurred, dismissing the rumors as “false and misleading.” He invited Bishop Samuel J. Quire and leaders of the Liberia Council of Churches to a meeting to address the misinformation and rising tensions.
Bishop Samuel Quire has repeatedly reaffirmed that the UMC Liberia does not endorse same-sex marriage. “I am not a gay Bishop; I will not allow gay business in the Church,” he declared at a press conference following the October 13, 2024, protests. His statement came in response to the global UMC’s decision earlier that year to repeal its ban on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage during the General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The global church’s move towards “regionalization”—allowing each region to tailor its policies to local customs—has been interpreted by many Liberian Methodists as a veiled attempt to normalize same-sex unions. Bishop Quire insists that UMC Liberia remains committed to traditional biblical teachings and Liberian cultural values.
The crisis deepened when Bishop Quire suspended five pastors who had called for a special session to allow the Liberian church to formally respond to the global policy shift. Among those suspended were Rev. Elijah Dajue of ED. McGill United Methodist Church and Rev. Leo Mason of New Georgia United Methodist Church.
Congregants at these churches have fiercely resisted the suspensions. At New Georgia, worshippers protested during Sunday services, rejecting the bishop’s replacement of their pastor. Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson of Seventy Second United Methodist Church, also suspended, claimed he was targeted for assassination due to his vocal opposition to same-sex marriage.
Representative Anthony Williams has now entered the fray, expressing alarm over what he calls an “ungodly decision” that threatens to “pollute” Liberia. In a public statement, he vowed to write the House of Representatives through the Speaker’s office to summon the Bishop of the United Methodist Church and the Liberia Council of Churches. His goal: to seek clarity on the church’s position in light of Liberia’s constitutional definition of marriage.
Williams’ intervention reflects growing concern among lawmakers and citizens that religious institutions may be drifting from national values under external pressure.
– Bishop Quire has announced plans for a special convention in early 2025 to clarify UMC Liberia’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
– The Liberia Council of Churches may face increased scrutiny as it navigates its role in mediating between global denominational shifts and local religious convictions.
– The House of Representatives could become a new arena for theological and constitutional debate, as lawmakers weigh the implications of religious reform on national identity.
As Liberia grapples with this complex intersection of faith, law, and global influence, the coming months promise to be pivotal—not just for the United Methodist Church, but for the broader conversation on cultural sovereignty and moral governance.By Alex Prince Johnson
Monrovia, Liberia — A storm of controversy continues to engulf the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, as tensions over same-sex marriage escalate into public protests, police interventions, and legislative scrutiny. The latest development comes from Pleebo Sodoken District Representative Anthony Williams, who has announced plans to formally petition the House of Representatives to summon the leader of the United Methodist Church Samuel Quire and the Liberia Council of Churches for clarification on their stance regarding Liberia’s organic law, which defines marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman.
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, social media erupted with claims that a same-sex wedding had taken place at the New Georgia Estate United Methodist Church. The Liberia National Police (LNP), responding to the viral posts, deployed heavily armed officers to several Methodist churches, including the historic S.T. Nagbe United Methodist Church, effectively locking out worshippers.
Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman later clarified that no such wedding had occurred, dismissing the rumors as “false and misleading.” He invited Bishop Samuel J. Quire and leaders of the Liberia Council of Churches to a meeting to address the misinformation and rising tensions.
Bishop Samuel Quire has repeatedly reaffirmed that the UMC Liberia does not endorse same-sex marriage. “I am not a gay Bishop; I will not allow gay business in the Church,” he declared at a press conference following the October 13, 2024, protests. His statement came in response to the global UMC’s decision earlier that year to repeal its ban on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage during the General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The global church’s move towards “regionalization”—allowing each region to tailor its policies to local customs—has been interpreted by many Liberian Methodists as a veiled attempt to normalize same-sex unions. Bishop Quire insists that UMC Liberia remains committed to traditional biblical teachings and Liberian cultural values.
The crisis deepened when Bishop Quire suspended five pastors who had called for a special session to allow the Liberian church to formally respond to the global policy shift. Among those suspended were Rev. Elijah Dajue of ED. McGill United Methodist Church and Rev. Leo Mason of New Georgia United Methodist Church.
Congregants at these churches have fiercely resisted the suspensions. At New Georgia, worshippers protested during Sunday services, rejecting the bishop’s replacement of their pastor. Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson of Seventy Second United Methodist Church, also suspended, claimed he was targeted for assassination due to his vocal opposition to same-sex marriage.
Representative Anthony Williams has now entered the fray, expressing alarm over what he calls an “ungodly decision” that threatens to “pollute” Liberia. In a public statement, he vowed to write the House of Representatives through the Speaker’s office to summon the Bishop of the United Methodist Church and the Liberia Council of Churches. His goal: to seek clarity on the church’s position in light of Liberia’s constitutional definition of marriage.
Williams’ intervention reflects growing concern among lawmakers and citizens that religious institutions may be drifting from national values under external pressure.
– Bishop Quire has announced plans for a special convention in early 2025 to clarify UMC Liberia’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
– The Liberia Council of Churches may face increased scrutiny as it navigates its role in mediating between global denominational shifts and local religious convictions.
– The House of Representatives could become a new arena for theological and constitutional debate, as lawmakers weigh the implications of religious reform on national identity.
As Liberia grapples with this complex intersection of faith, law, and global influence, the coming months promise to be pivotal—not just for the United Methodist Church, but for the broader conversation on cultural sovereignty and moral governance.
