Bishop Samuel Quire’ Axe Lands On Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah
There is no let-up in the row that has gripped the United Methodist Church in Liberia (UMC), ever since the decision was taken in the General Conference of the church held in the United States last May to practice same sex marriage.
Amid the confusion, the UMC has Suspended a prominent cleric in the ongoing debate, Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah, amid claims of Promoting Global Methodist Church Agenda and Undermining Church Discipline
The UMC has with immediate effect suspended Kulah, Vice President for the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Professional Studies, at the United Methodist University (UMU), a statement said recently.
Rev. Kulah has been vocal in taking the Liberia UMC’s Bishop Samuel Quire to task for failing to convene an emergency general conference of the church in Liberia to address the decision reached by the Global Methodist Church in the US, but instead allegedly clamping down on clerics and others advocating for an urgent conference, a charge Bishop Quire has repeatedly denied.
At the meeting in the US early in May this year, United Methodist General Conference, the church’s global legislative body, voted to overturn every ban on LGBTQ people. The historic changes include a new definition of marriage as a lifelong covenant between “two people of faith,” rather than solely between a man and a woman, and a repeal of its ban on LGBTQ clergy, although Reverend Jerry Kulah, a delegate from Liberia, was quoted as saying: “We do not believe we know better than the Bible.”
The General Conference also struck down a 52-year-old stance on homosexuality being “incompatible with Christian teaching.” At A Meeting In The US: United Methodist Church Holds Historic Vote in Favour Of LGBTQ Inclusion – News Public Trust
This decision to suspend Rev. Kulah follows recommendations from the investigative committee and the Church Counsel of the Board of Ordained Ministry, citing violations under Paragraph 2702.1 (c, d, e, & f) of the UMC Discipline.
Rev. Kulah, a prominent campaigner for the Global Methodist Church (GMC), is accused of violations under Paragraph 2702.1 (d, e, & f) of the UMC Discipline. church officials confirm that an investigation is ongoing. Rev. Kulah has been instructed to comply fully with the process, return all UMC and UMU properties in his possession, and restrict his activities to retrieving personal belongings.
UMC Bishop Quire has alleged that he is facing death threat. Bishop Quire made the revelation in a live radio program, THE BUMPER SHOW with Liberia’s state radio, ELBC yesterday, Thursday, October 17, 2024. As Controversy Over Gay Marriage Deepens, Methodist Bishop Quire Says He Faces Death Threat – News Public Trust
The suspension, which takes effect effective immediately, arises from allegations of multiple infractions that undermine the UMC’s teachings, unity, and policies. Key allegations include:
- Promotion of GMC Policies: Rev. Dr. Kulah is accused of prioritizing the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) over the UMC’s Book of Discipline 2016, contradicting UMC teachings and laws.
- Affiliation with the GMC: He allegedly works as a coordinator for GMC-related projects, including a breakaway group, the Mt. Horeb Global Methodist Church, which severed ties with the UMC in May 2022.
- Coordination of GMC-Funded Projects: Dr. Kulah is reported to oversee initiatives like the Boway Development Association, funded by the Mt. Horeb Church of Lexington, South Carolina. These projects operate in Liberia under the GMC banner, despite the UMC’s opposition to such affiliations.
- Advocacy for Disaffiliation: In September 2023, he allegedly participated in a Nairobi meeting where GMC members strategized on disaffiliating African churches from the UMC to form independent conferences and elect new bishops aligned with the GMC.
- Membership in Breakaway Groups: As a member of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), Rev. Dr. Kulah is accused of supporting initiatives that contradict UMC teachings, including spreading misinformation about the UMC and coordinating The Africa Initiative, which UMC Bishops have criticized for fostering division.
- Undermining UMC Unity: These actions are alleged to have fostered disunity within the UMC in Africa and violated the church’s commitment to unity.
A few days ago, Rev. Kulah led a protest march of UMC members from the Monrovia City Hall to the offices of Busihop Quire on the 12th Street in Monrovia’s Sinkor suburb.
The suspension prohibits Rev. Dr. Kulah from preaching, teaching, counseling, or representing the UMC. He has been directed to return all UMC and UMU properties and to restrict his access to retrieving personal belongings.
To ensure academic stability, Rev. Dr. George Weagbe has been appointed as the new Vice President for the Graduate School. The UMU administration has assured students and faculty that academic and administrative activities will continue smoothly.
Additionally, students have been explicitly advised not to attend any unauthorized meetings organized by Rev. Kulah, as the university reiterates that it operates under institutional governance and not personal authority.
This decisive action reflects the UMC’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability within its leadership while respecting the principles of due process. The investigation into the allegations against Rev. Kulah is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.