Methodist Bishop Denies Allegations Regarding Same-Sex Marriage, Cautions Against Misinformation.

Gbarnga, Bong County: Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., the leader of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, has strongly rejected claims that the UMC is a "gay church."

He warned that legal action will be taken against those spreading misinformation. 

“The United Methodist Church in Liberia is not a gay church, and we do not condone same-sex marriage,” Bishop Quire stated, addressing half-truths directed at the church. 

Speaking at the 192nd General Conference in Gbarnga, Bong County, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Bishop Quire firmly declared that he will never officiate a same-sex wedding within the church. 

“Let me say this clearly: I, Bishop Quire, will not conduct any wedding between individuals of the same gender—not under my watch as Bishop and not in the United Methodist Church,” the clergyman emphasized.

Delegates at the 192 General Conference held in Gbarnga, Bong County.  

The Bishop revealed that the 2024 General Conference held in the United States voted to remove restrictive language from the UMC’s Book of Discipline, which previously banned the marriage and ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals. 

This change officially took effect on May 3, 2024. 

The decision has sparked intense debate and confusion, particularly in Africa, where

traditional Christian beliefs strongly oppose same-sex unions and ordination.

Additionally, the General Conference repealed Paragraph 2553, a clause introduced in 2019 that allowed U.S.-based Methodist churches to disaffiliate over theological disagreements.

Bishop Quire also disclosed that the West African College of Bishops has endorsed the UMC's new Regionalization Policy. 

This change to Paragraph 2552, which is pending ratification by the Church’s Annual Conferences scheduled for June 2025, will allow different regions to create and enforce their policies regarding same-sex marriage.

According to Bishop Quire, this reform will empower local churches to make mission-driven decisions that align with their cultural and theological values. 

While the Global UMC has removed restrictions on same-sex marriage and ordination, Bishop Quire reassured that the UMC in Liberia and other African conferences remains opposed to these practices. 

He warned against the spread of misleading information, which he described as causing unnecessary confusion. 

Tensions within the Liberia Annual Conference of the UMC intensified when Bishop Quire suspended five pastors who were advocating for a special session to allow the church in Liberia to determine its position on the new resolution permitting same-sex marriage. 

The situation started after the UMC’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, voted 692-51 to repeal the church’s longstanding ban on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) clergy, marking a significant shift in church policy.

Since the acceptance of same-sex marriage by the General Conference in the United States, Bishop Quire has come under intense criticism from the congregation over his refusal to call for a special session that would allow the church to decide its path forward on the regionalization policy in Liberia.

The situation escalated further when Bishop Quire suspended some clergymen from the Seventy-Second United Methodist Church, New Georgia United Methodist Church, and other congregations who questioned his deliberate objection to call for a special session.

Fast forward, to October 13, 2024, members from both the Seventy-Second United Methodist Church and the New Georgia United Methodist Church protested during worship hours in response to Bishop Quire’s action of suspending their pastors.

Rev. Leo T. Mayson of the New Georgia United Methodist Church was celebrated by members for his critical stance against homosexuality and his call for Bishop Quire to organize a special session. 

The congregants of the New Georgia United Methodist vehemently opposed the Bishop’s decision to replace Pastor Mayson due to his critical stance.

Reverend Mayson was not alone in this fate; Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson, senior pastor of the Seventy-Second United Methodist Church, also received strong support from his congregation following his suspension by Bishop Quire. 

Members of the Seventy-Second United Methodist Church expressed their frustration with Bishop Quire's actions and vowed to reject the replacement for Reverend Jackson. 

During the worship service, Rev. Jackson emphasized that the issue of same-sex marriage poses risks not only to the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church but also to other churches as well.

Edited; E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Sr.