Published: July 1, 2024
GANTA, Nimba County — The air was thick with tension in Ganta as several Methodist Churches boycotted Sunday services in a dramatic protest following a heated clash with Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire over the church’s stance on same-sex marriage.
On the previous day, Bishop Quire faced an unprecedented confrontation with some church members, who demanded clarity on the United Methodist Church’s position on same-sex marriage. Despite the global church’s recent resolution in favor of same-sex marriage, Bishop Quire urged his congregation to stay united and not break away.
In early May, the United Methodist Church overturned its 40-year ban on gay clergy, signaling a historic shift in its approach to homosexuality. This decision has ignited calls from Liberian church members to sever ties with the global body—a move strongly resisted by Bishop Quire.
The boycott on Sunday was a direct response to the confrontation with Bishop Quire. Across several Methodist Churches in Ganta and its surrounding areas, pews were noticeably empty. Members cited the attack on their bishop as the primary reason for their absence.
“We are all Methodists; no one is a better Methodist than another. This is the first time a resident bishop has been attacked by church members,” they lamented, reflecting on the shocking turn of events.
High-ranking officials within the church, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed strong opposition to the actions against Bishop Quire. They pledged to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attack, setting a precedent to prevent future incidents.
The Saturday incident unfolded at the Miller McAllister United Methodist Church, where members gathered to demand Bishop Quire Jr. clarify the church’s stance on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, particularly in the context of debates within Methodist Churches in Africa and the Western world.
In a bid to address their concerns, Bishop Quire Jr. firmly reiterated that the Methodist Church in Liberia should reject such practices, stating that they are contrary to God’s commandments. His stance, however, did not sit well with all attendees. The situation escalated when some members demanded a special session, which Bishop Quire refused, leading to a chaotic disruption. Angered by his refusal, some members chased the bishop from the church premises.
The fallout from this dramatic confrontation has left a palpable sense of unrest within the Ganta Methodist community, as church leaders and members grapple with the implications of this internal conflict.
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