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Supreme Court gives Bishop Quire Bloody Nose

  • Writer: Michael T
    Michael T
  • Apr 9
  • 2 min read

Bishop Samuel J. Quire
Bishop Samuel J. Quire

The Supreme Court of Liberia has rejected Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr.’s petition for a Writ of Prohibition, allowing Judge Boima Konto of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court to proceed with the controversial suspension case involving L. Olandor Boyce, a lay leader in the United Methodist Church (UMC) Liberia Conference. Boyce alleges that his suspension was retaliatory, stemming from his criticism of what he describes as the church’s promotion of same-sex ideology.


The legal dispute began when Judge Konto issued an injunction halting the UMC’s Annual Conference in Gbarnga earlier this year. Boyce’s petition argued that his exclusion from the conference violated the UMC’s Book of Discipline, which governs church practices. His legal challenge has since evolved into a broader critique of the church’s disciplinary practices and its handling of dissenting voices, particularly on sensitive ideological issues.


Bishop Quire and other church leaders sought intervention from the Supreme Court, arguing that Judge Konto had overstepped his jurisdiction by interfering in internal church matters. However, Associate Justice Ceaineh Clinton-Johnson denied their petition, emphasizing that the lower court has jurisdiction to proceed with the case.


This case has become a flashpoint for deeper ideological divisions within the UMC Liberia Conference, mirroring global debates within the Methodist community over LGBTQ+ acceptance and governance. Boyce’s suspension and subsequent legal battle have emphasized tensions between traditionalist factions and those advocating for more progressive interpretations of church doctrine. The conflict has also drawn attention to questions about transparency and accountability in church leadership.


This ruling is a significant setback for Bishop Quire and his administration. Efforts to shield internal disciplinary actions from judicial review have not only failed but have also amplified public scrutiny of the church’s internal divisions.


As Judge Konto resumes jurisdiction over the case, all eyes are on whether the court will side with Boyce or uphold the church’s authority argument. This legal battle transcends its immediate context as a dispute over one individual’s suspension. It will be a defining moment for Liberia’s judiciary, testing its ability to mediate conflicts at the intersection of faith and law. With tensions running high and ideological divides deepening, the importance of the outcome of this case at the lower court cannot be overemphasized.


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[1] Supreme Court Rules On UMC Case -As Petitioners ... https://inprofiledailynews.com/%F0%9D%90%92%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%A9%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%A6%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%82%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%AB%F0%9D%90%AD-%F0%9D%90%91%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%A5%F0%9D%90%9E/

[2] Liberia: Court Halts UMC Annual Conference in Bong County https://frontpageafricaonline.com/breaking-news/liberia-court-halts-umc-annual-conference-in-bong-county/

[3] Supreme Court Issues Directive in Dispute Involving UMC Annual ... https://knewsonline.com/supreme-court-issues-directive-in-dispute-involving-umc-annual-conference-refers-judge-konto-to-a-conference

[4] Liberia: Supreme Court Lifts Prohibition on United Methodist ... https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-supreme-court-lifts-prohibition-on-united-methodist-churchs-annual-conference-summons-judge-konto-for-conference/

[5] UMC's LGBTQ+ Crisis Deepens General Conference SG Accuses ... https://analystliberiaonline.com/umcs-lgbtq-crisis-deepens-general-conference-sg-accuses-head-bishop/

[6] 9th Judicial Circuit – Bong County – - Supreme Court of Liberia https://judiciary.gov.lr/9th-bong-county/

[7] UMC Under Court Order: Liberia's Justice Gbeisay Presses Pause https://www.insightsliberia.com/post/umc-under-court-order-liberia-s-justice-gbeisay-presses-pause

[8] 192nd Session, LAC/UMC Episcopal Address – Bishop Samuel J ... https://liberiaumc.org/192nd-session-lac-umc-episcopal-address-bishop-samuel-j-quire-jr/

[9] Bong County – - Supreme Court of Liberia https://judiciary.gov.lr/bong-county/

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