MONROVIA – The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) has issued a strong denial regarding circulating claims that Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., Resident Bishop of the LAC/UMC, has endorsed or officiated any same-sex marriages in Liberia. The clarification comes in response to allegations posted on social media, particularly by Bishop Joseph Gardea Johnson of the Restoration Baptist Church, which the Conference described as deliberate attempts to misinform the public and discredit the Church.
In a press statement released on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the LAC/UMC emphasized that Bishop Quire and the entire Conference “have repeatedly reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the authority of the Holy Bible as the foundation of our faith and practice. The United Methodist Church in Liberia has never officiated, nor will it ever officiate, same-sex marriages.”
The statement further highlighted that the stance of the Church was formally adopted during the 192nd Session of the Liberia Annual Conference, which passed a resolution categorically rejecting same-sex marriage as “unbiblical, unchristian, and contrary to Liberian law, culture, and tradition.” The resolution specifically notes that same-sex marriage contravenes Liberian civil procedures, violates local customs, and conflicts with the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. The resolution also rejected the ordination of self-avowed homosexuals.
The press release recalled incidents of violence and unrest in 2024 linked to misinformation. In June of that year, Bishop Quire was physically attacked in Ganta, Nimba County, following rumors of same-sex marriage ceremonies. Protests erupted at several churches, including the New Georgia and 72nd United Methodist Churches, while lawyers representing the Church were assaulted in Omega, Paynesville. Additionally, the Duazon United Methodist Church faced attacks allegedly orchestrated by community members, and protests also targeted the Central Office of the Liberia Annual Conference in December 2024.
The Conference condemned the spread of false narratives, stating that those promoting the claims were inciting violence, undermining Church unity, and misleading the Liberian people. The statement specifically noted that “those who are on social media platforms and street corners spreading misleading information and diabolical lies are in fact the ones promoting same-sex marriage through placards, leaflet distribution, talk shows and other means, pushing these false narratives only to satisfy their selfish agenda.”
The LAC/UMC reaffirmed its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, promote peace, provide education and healthcare, and serve the Liberian people. The Conference urged Christians and the general public to remain cautious of individuals or groups who twist the truth for personal or political gain. The statement concluded by asserting that Bishop Gardea Johnson’s remarks “represent nothing but desperation, misinformation, and a lack of proper understanding of our polity,” while affirming that the Liberia Annual Conference remains “a church rooted in faith, culture, and service to God’s people.”
