By: Melvin Flomo
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Monrovia, Liberia – August 19, 2025 – The Civil Law Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, has ruled that members who broke away from the United Methodist Church (UMC) Liberia Annual Conference to form the Global Methodist Church (GMC) have no legal claim to the church’s properties.
Presiding Judge George W. Smith declared that the claims by GMC members led by Rev. Jerry P. Kulah were without merit, stressing that “one cannot transfer or distribute what one does not legally own.”
The Court held that Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr. lacked the authority to allocate UMC assets to the splinter group, affirming instead that church trustees remain the rightful stewards of all UMC properties.
In his ruling, Judge Smith stated:
“The GMC and Rev. Jerry P. Kulah hold no legal or equitable right, title, or interest in UMC Liberia Annual Conference properties, including worship centers, schools, hospitals, and other facilities.”
The judgment further emphasized that by seceding from the UMC, the respondents forfeited all ownership rights and are barred from using, transferring, or tampering with UMC properties, including removing official signage.
The ruling came in response to a petition for declaratory judgment filed by the UMC and is expected to set a precedent in future disputes over church property rights in Liberia.
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