Liberian Retired Bishops of United Methodist Church Call for Unity, Traditional Values,amidst Homosexual Controversies

Monrovia, Liberia — In a heartfelt address to the members of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, retired bishops of the Liberia Episcopal Area have released a joint statement affirming their commitment to unity, peace, and traditional Christian values. The statement, jointly signed by Bishop Arthur Flomo Kulah and Bishop John Genca Innis, reflects a firm stance on marriage, a call for education on the newly endorsed concept of worldwide regionalization, and a strong message of support for Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr.The statement begins with a reminder of the church’s primary mission, referencing the biblical mandate in Matthew 28:18-20 to make disciples of all nations. “As retired bishops,” they wrote, “we are compelled by the Spirit of God to address the current state of our church.” This introduction grounds the message in scripture and speaks to the bishops’ sense of duty to safeguard the church’s faith and unity amid ongoing conversations and challenges within the denomination.Affirming Traditional Marriage ValuesAddressing the issue of marriage and human sexuality, the retired bishops reaffirmed their commitment to traditional Christian teachings. The statement clearly defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, consistent with both biblical teachings and Liberian cultural traditions. “We uphold the sacredness of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, consistent with biblical teachings, Liberian cultural traditions, and our laws,” they stated. In a firm stance against same-sex marriage, the bishops reiterated, “We categorically say no to it,” emphasizing that the practice has never been accepted within the United Methodist Church of Liberia.“This affirmation is significant, as it aligns with the position of many churches across Africa and serves as a response to recent global debates within the broader United Methodist Church on the topic of marriage and LGBTQ+ inclusion.” Their statement asserted.