Petitioner in the above-entitled cause of action petitions this Honorable Court and Your Honor in form and manner as follows, to wit:
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- As the controversy over gay marriage deepens, the leadership of the St. Trowen United Methodist Church (UMC) has dragged the United Methodist Annual Conference to the Sixth Judicial Civil Law Court.
The current case in the court presided over by Judge George W. Smith, has to do with ownership of the church. And the rift in the UMC blew open last year after a decision by the UMC General Conference in the United States to alter the Church’s “Book of Discipline” on what marriage is, now over.
On August 8, 2025, the UMC authorities announced the temporary closure of the ST Nagbe Church on 13th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia. In a statement, it said:
“The church premises will be sealed to protect life, property, and sacred space, pending an official investigation by Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Relocation of Worship: All worship and church activities are to be temporarily moved to other United Methodist churches.” Temporary Closure of Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church | The Official Site of the United Methodist Church – Liberia
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
In a fourteen-count Declaratory Judgment being filed at the Civil Law Court in Monrovia, the Petitioner Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church by and thru the Leadership and Congregation represented by its Lay Leader, Fhr. Cooper Y. Tomah, of the City of Monrovia, which Leadership/Board of Trustees have authorized the institution of the instant proceedings.
The Petitioner says that Section 43.2 of the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia, captioned “Construction of Writings and Statutes”, provides: “Any person interested under a deed, will, contract, or other writings constituting a contract, or whose rights, status, or other legal relations are affected by a statute, municipal ordinance, contract, or franchise, may have determined any question of construction or validity arising under the instrument, statute, ordinance, contract, or franchise and obtain a declaration of rights, status, or other legal relations thereunder.”
Petitioner states that the Domestic Relations Law of Liberia, Chapter 2, Subchapter 2.1, expressly defines marriage as “…a civil status, personal relationship arising out of a civil contract between a male and female to mutually assume marital rights, duties and obligations parties cable such contract is:
Further, the Penal Law of Liberia, Chapter 14, Subchapter D, Section 14.74, criminalizes sexual intercourse under circumstances not stated in Sections 14.72 or 14.73, classifying such conduct as a first-degree misdemeanor.
The Petitioner submits that the National Legislature, the people’s elected representatives, having defined marriage in 1973 exclusively as a civil union between a male and a female, subsequently reinforced that definition by enacting the Penal Law in 1978, with Executive approval, to criminalize deviate sexual intercourse, including homosexual practices.
This legislative sequence demonstrates a deliberate and unequivocal public policy choice to preserve and protect the statutory definition of marriage.
Petitioner’s governing law since its inception, the Book of Discipline (2016), Part V – Social Principles, paragraph 161 II (d), affirms marriage as “…the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman.” Attached hereto and marked as Exhibit P/2 is a copy of said provision to form a cogent part of Petitioner’s petition
Notwithstanding the statutory and doctrinal position stated hereinabove. Respondent has adopted and seeks to enforce the revised Book of Discipline (2020/2024), which redefines marriage in Part V-Social Principles, paragraph 161 II (d), to include: “…a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith, adult man and woman of consenting two adult persons of consenting age. into union with one another and into a deeper relationship with God and the religious community.”
Petitioner avers that its rejection of the amended definition, being inconsistent with the laws of Liberia, has resulted in Respondent’s closure and locking of Petitioner’s church edifice, thereby unlawfully depriving Petitioner of its property, restricting access to its facilities, and prohibiting the conduct of worship services and meetings.
Petitioner contends that the Respondent’s actions constitute coercion intended to compel conformity to an unlawful and morally objectionable standard, in contravention of the Domestic Relations Law, Penal Law, and the public policy of the Republic of Liberia.
Petitioner submits that under the hierarchy of laws in Liberian jurisprudence, statutes enacted by the Legislature, such as the Domestic Relations Law and Penal Law, are superior to and override administrative rules, denominational policies, or private codes, including the Book of Discipline. Where a conflict exists between a statute and such subordinate instruments, the statute prevails as the controlling law.
That also as to count ten (10) above, Petitioner says under Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, “the Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law, and any laws, treaties, statutes, decrees, customs, or regulations found inconsistent therewith shall be void to the extent of the inconsistency.”
By necessary implication, statutes enacted by the Legislature pursuant to the Constitution stand superior to private contractual or ecclesiastical rules, including the Book of Discipline.
That also as to counts nine (9), ten (10) and eleven (11) above, Petitioner avers that the Domestic Relations Law and Penal Law represent clear statements of Liberian public policy on marriage and sexual conduct. Any private agreement or organizational policy inconsistent with these statutes is void as against public policy.
That also as to counts nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11) and twelve (12) above, Petitioner asserts that the power to define civil status, including marriage, is vested exclusively in the Legislature. No religious denomination, administrative body, or private association has lawful authority to alter such statutory definitions in a manner that contradicts national law.
That further to count seven (7) through thirteen (13) above, Petitioner asserts that under Article 14 of the Constitution, all persons shall be entitled to freedom of thought, e, and religion, including the right to worship in places of their choice. titioners core constitiolation fairh institutional respondent’s.
WHEREFORE in view of the foregoing, Petitioner prays your Honor and this Honorable Court That Part V Social Principles, paragraph 161 II (d), of the Book of Discipline (2020/2024), being inconsistent with the Domestic Relations Law and Penal Law of Liberia, is null, void, and of no legal effect within the Republic;
That Respondent is required to restore Petitioner to the status quo ante and immediately reopen the Petitioner’s church edifice for worship and related use; and 3. Grant unto Petitioner any other and further relief as Your Honor may deem just, legal, and equitable in the premises.