Published: August 19, 2025
MONROVIA — Judge George W. Smith of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court A, has issued an interim order directing the reopening of the Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church (S. T. Nagbe) , pending final determination of a declaratory judgment petition filed by the congregation’s leadership.
The order, signed Monday, instructs Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr., Father Henry Brunsun, and all corporate officers of the United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference to restore the status quo ante — allowing the congregation to immediately resume services and meetings at the church on 13th Street, Sinkor.
The decision stems from a petition filed by the congregation seeking a declaratory judgment on issues of leadership authority and interpretation of church doctrine, particularly regarding the definition of marriage and governance.
Meanwhile, a related case before the Monrovia City Court also proceeded Monday, with ruling reserved until Thursday. That case followed a writ of summons seeking the temporary closure of the church.
During arguments, defense attorney Jeremiah Dugbor contended that even if the United Methodist Church and its Liberia Annual Conference own the property, a temporary closure was not the proper legal remedy. Instead, he argued, the matter should be pursued through an ejectment action or summary proceedings to recover possession.
Dugbor urged the court to dismiss what he called an “unmeritorious petition” and allow the parties to continue proceedings before the Civil Law Court, where the matter is already pending.
The court granted both parties 10 minutes each to present closing arguments. Petitioners cited Chapter 25, Section 25.3 of Liberian law, while the defense relied on several provisions of the Civil Procedure Law and Article 20(a) of the Constitution.
The interim order remains in effect until a final ruling is issued in the declaratory judgment case.
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