Before attending the United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference in the United States, the Delegation from the Liberia Annual Conference made its position clear: it was mandated to vote against same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ members as clergy or bishops. Communications from the Liberia conference indicate a significant tension surrounding these issues. Resident Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr. expressed dissent regarding the UMC Delegation’s Report from the postponed 2020 General Conference. Notably, he challenged the delegation’s stance on both the report itself and its implications about LGBTQ inclusion within the church community, arguing that it sidestepped the critical discussion surrounding the World-Wide Regionalization Plan that aimed to address the diverse perspectives within the global church.
The delegation, led by Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, submitted its report on July 29, 2024, stressing the opposition to the proposed regionalization of the UMC, which many conservatives had previously rejected. This was not the first attempt at regionalization; similar initiatives had been proposed in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019, with the central aim of allowing the practice of same-sex unions in specific regions. The resistance from conservative factions within the UMC is notable, as it highlights the ongoing cultural clash over LGBTQ rights and inclusion within the church’s governance and moral teaching.
In an August 9, 2024 letter, Bishop Quire critiqued the delegation’s recommendations, particularly those pertaining to the “Way Forward Commission.” He deemed certain recommendations as out of order and suggested that they be omitted from the final report. This direct opposition indicates a broader schism within the UMC regarding how LGBTQ issues are to be approached, and in Quire’s view, the delegation had failed to adequately acknowledge the implications of the decisions surrounding global regionalization. He emphasized that the claims made in the report contradict the established position of the Liberia Annual Conference against ordaining LGBTQ members.
Quire further expressed his concerns about the Liberia delegation’s framing of the report, stating that it undermines the recent General Conference decision concerning Worldwide Regionalization. He argued that the disqualification of petitions from disaffiliated groups should not be conflated with the core values of the Liberia Annual Conference. He urged the delegation to reassess their document to provide a more balanced perspective that aligns with the decisions and values upheld during the General Conference, thereby ensuring that the members at the upcoming 192nd session of the Annual Conference can make informed decisions.
The context surrounding the Liberia delegation’s report underscores the contentious nature of LGBTQ issues within the UMC. The narrative highlights how LGBTQ identities, which encompass groups such as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender individuals, and those who identify as queer, have been a significant point of division. The report underscored a universal trend towards legitimizing these identities and practices within various UMC regions, despite strong opposition from conservative factions. This continued push towards inclusion aligns with broader societal shifts that advocate for the rights and recognition of LGBTQ communities worldwide.
Before departing for the General Conference, the Liberia Annual Conference held its 191st session in February 2024, where Rev. Dr. Kulah sought a mandate to guide the delegation on pertinent matters. Bishop Quire explicitly stated the position of the Liberia conference against same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, reinforcing a unified stance in what has been an increasingly litigious and contentious debate. The anticipated discussions at the General Conference promise to reflect not only the ideological divisions present within the UMC but also the global nature of the church that grapples with varying cultural interpretations concerning human sexuality and church leadership.
