-As African Bishops Affirm Traditional Marriage
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) on Sunday enthusiastically welcomed the landmark decisions issued by the 2025 Africa College of Bishops, announcing that Liberia will have the honor of hosting the body’s next annual meeting in 2026.
The announcement comes as Liberia’s own Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr. and his wife, Mother Richlain N. Quire, return from the conference in Luanda, Angola, where Bishop Quire serves not only as the Resident Bishop of Liberia but also as the President of the West Africa College of Bishops.
The 2025 meeting, held from September 1-4, gathered seventeen active and retired bishops from across the continent’s three central conferences. The resulting Statement of Witness and Commitment outlines a decisive and unified vision for the future of The United Methodist Church in Africa.
Key outcomes from the Africa College of Bishops meeting include: Affirmation of Traditional Doctrine: A clear reaffirmation of the biblical definition of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman.
Championing Regionalization:Strong support for the regionalization model, empowering African churches to contextualize ministry while maintaining global connection. Celebration of Growth: Endorsement of the election of nine new bishops and the creation of new episcopal areas to manage the Church’s rapid expansion across Africa.
Structural Advancement for West Africa: Granting of authority to the West Africa Central Conference to create a new episcopal area in Nigeria, a move critical for managing its significant membership.
Victory for Liberian Methodists: Public celebration of the recent Liberian court decision that affirmed The United Methodist Church’s rightful ownership of its properties in the country. The bishops resolved to protect church assets across the continent.
Commitment to Education: A pledge to support the Central Conferences Endowment Fund to strengthen indigenous theological education and leadership development.
“The decisions made in Luanda mark a pivotal moment for our church,” said Bishop Quire. “We are moving forward with unity, clarity, and a renewed commitment to our mission. We are particularly thrilled to bring our brother and sister bishops to Liberia next year to showcase our vibrant faith community and continue this critical work.”
The Liberia Annual Conference calls on all United Methodists to remain prayerful and united in support of its leadership and the exciting future ahead.
“As Africa rises, so too does our responsibility to be a light to the nations.” The Africa College of Bishops is the collective body of all United Methodist bishops serving across the African continent. It provides spiritual leadership, fellowship, and strategic coordination for the mission of the church.
