Civil Law Court Orders Reopening of ST. Nagbe United Methodist Church

Monrovia – The Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court, has issued an interim order instructing that the Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church be reopened while a legal case over its leadership and governance continues.

The order comes after the church’s leadership filed a petition for declaratory judgment. The case centers on disagreements within the United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference, including issues of leadership authority and the interpretation of church doctrine on marriage and governance.

Despite this directive, a related case before the Monrovia City Court was also heard on Monday, with a ruling expected Thursday. The city court had earlier issued a writ of summons that temporarily closed the church.

During the hearing, defense lawyer Atty. Jeremiah Samuel Dugbo I argued that seeking a temporary closure was not the right legal process. He suggested that if the United Methodist Church leadership believes it owns the property, it should instead pursue an ejectment action or summary proceedings. Dugbo urged the court to dismiss what he called an “unmeritorious petition” and return the matter to the Civil Law Court, where it is already pending.

Both sides were given ten minutes each to present their final arguments. Petitioners cited Chapter 25, Section 25.3 of Liberian law, while respondents referenced various sections of the Civil Procedure Law and Article 20(a) of the Constitution.

Judge George W. Smith, who signed the interim order, instructed Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr., Father Henry Brunsun, and other UMC officers to restore the church to its previous state. This means the congregation of ST. Nagbe must be immediately allowed to hold services and meetings at its 13th Street, Sinkor facility.

The interim order is effective immediately and will remain until a final ruling is issued on the petition.