UMC Bishop Quire Calms The Raging Storm …Affirms That Liberia Will Not Subscribe To Gay Marriage

By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
The Bishop of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, Samuel Quire, has rubbished speculation reiterating that the UMC is not a gay Church and will not subscribe to gay marriage.
The internal wrangling in the Church regarding same-sex marriage has led to a big division in the United Methodist Church, believed to be one of the oldest Christian denominations in Liberia.
Speaking at the ongoing 192nd Annual Session of the Liberia Annual Conference in Gbarnga, Bong County on February 13, 2025, Bishop Quire told the gathering of United Methodist members tat the church is not a gay Church and will never support same-sex marriage.
The prelate explained that the UMC is committed to the doctrine of the Holy Bible, which allows civil marriages.
“The United Methodist Church in Liberia is not a gay Church, nor will we ever adopt such an identity,” Bishop Quire emphasized repeatedly.
“We as members of the United Methodist Church here will uphold the definition of marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman. Nothing more, nothing less,” Bishop Quire explained.
He denied allegations that the Church leadership in Liberia has supported the “New Regionalization Laws” that demand pastors to conduct same-sex marriages in the UMC and encourage members to abide by it.
“There has been a rumor on social media and the traditional media in Liberia that I, Bishop Samuel Quire, Jr., was even going to perform same-sex marriage,” he noted.
The United Methodist Church Bishop lamented that the United Methodist Church is not a gay Church and will not practice gay weddings or ordain people who are gay.
The Bishop revealed that the Church’s doctrine is deeply rooted in the interpretation of biblical teachings, culture, values, and shared commitments towards holding marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
According to him, this belief is deeply rooted in our interpretation of biblical teachings, cultural values, and shared commitments towards holding marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and we, as United Methodists, will never allow gay marriage.
He reminded the Church that, “The United Methodist Church in Liberia will continue to abide by the beckoning summons of our Lord Jesus Christ when He says; ‘Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
“Our mission is to “make disciples of all nations; to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and to teach them to obey all that [God] has commanded us”! We strongly caution all clergy members, as well as lay persons of the Liberia Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church, to refrain from undermining the ministry of The United Methodist Church. Undermining the ministry of the Church or the ministry of other clergy is a chargeable offense that is being enforced for the sake of maintaining the Order of the Church,” he added.
He admonished all United Methodists in Liberia, the Christian and religious community, and our Liberian public, saying “The United Methodist Church is NOT A GAY CHURCH”! It is a strong Church of God administering to sinners who are in need of the saving knowledge and grace of God! It is a worldwide denomination that is making a significant impact on our world!
While it is true that there are differences of opinion and conviction across our denomination, the mission remains the same because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (St. John 3:16 RSV).
The United Methodist Church, is a strong Church of God administering to sinners who are in need of the saving knowledge and grace of God! It is a worldwide denomination that is making a significant impact on our world.
In the meantime, Bishop Quire suspended with immediate effect the entire leadership of the Conference Young Adult Fellowship until otherwise ordered.
The Bishop informed the conference members that the leadership of the Conference Young Adult Fellowship and the conference women have been behaving very unruly and disrespectful to him a the Bishop of the UMC in Liberia.
The United Methodist Church Bishop described the leadership of the Conference Young Adult as anti-United Methodist and anti-administration.