The Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church has filed a petition for declaratory judgment against the United Methodist Church (UMC) Liberia Annual Conference at the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court in Monrovia.
The case centers around the adoption and attempted enforcement of a revised doctrinal stance on marriage, which the petitioner claims are in violation of Liberian law and public policy.
The petition, filed through Lay Leader Fhr. Cooper T. Tomah, challenges the UMC’s adoption of the 2020/2024 edition of its Book of Discipline, specifically Part V–Social Principles, paragraph 161 II (d).
This updated provision redefines marriage to include “a sacred, lifelong covenant between two adult persons of consenting age,” a departure from the prior definition which specified marriage as being between a man and a woman.
According to court documents, the Stephen Trowen Nagbe congregation argues that this revised definition is inconsistent with Liberia’s Domestic Relations Law and Penal Code, which legally define marriage as a civil union exclusively between a male and a female, and criminalize deviate sexual conduct.
The dispute escalated when the Liberia Annual Conference, acting through its Board of Trustees, allegedly locked the doors of the Stephen Trowen Nagbe Church, effectively barring congregants from worshipping or accessing church facilities.
The Petitioner argues that this action amounts to coercion and unlawful deprivation of property and religious freedom, asserting it was taken in retaliation for the congregation’s refusal to adopt the new doctrinal stance on same-sex marriage.
The petition further cites Article 14 of the Liberian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to worship in a place of one’s choice.
The Petitioner maintains that the Respondent’s actions violate these constitutional protections.
Legal Grounds and Constitutional Claims
The Petitioner’s legal counsel relies heavily on Liberia’s statutory and constitutional hierarchy, arguing that denominational policies cannot override national laws.
The petition contends that:
The Domestic Relations Law defines marriage as a civil contract between a male and a female;
The Penal Law criminalizes deviate sexual intercourse;
Any church policy contradicting these laws is null and void under Article 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
The petition seeks a court declaration that the new Book of Discipline provision is legally unenforceable within Liberia, and requests that the church edifice be immediately reopened for worship.
Broader Implications
This case marks a significant moment in the intersection of religious freedom, doctrinal autonomy, and national sovereignty in Liberia. It raises fundamental questions about how international religious organizations can operate within jurisdictions where local laws and cultural norms diverge sharply from global policy shifts.
Observers note that the outcome of this case could have broader ramifications for how churches with international affiliations navigate doctrinal disputes, especially in countries with conservative legal frameworks on social issues such as marriage and sexuality.
Awaiting Response from Respondents
As of press time, representatives of the United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference, including Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr., had not issued a formal public response to the legal petition.
The case is currently before His Honor, Judge George W. Smith, assigned to the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court for Montserrado County, sitting in its June Term, A.D. 2025.
